Post-operative & fracture
Post-fracture Stiffness & Rehab
“My plaster is off but the joint is stiff and weak”
After a fracture heals, stiffness and weakness are normal. Guided rehab helps you regain movement and function.
This guide is general education to help you understand your options. It is not a diagnosis — only an assessment by a qualified clinician can tell you what is causing your symptoms.
In plain words
When a bone heals, the nearby joints and muscles are often stiff and weak from being protected. Rehabilitation restores movement step by step, in line with your doctor’s guidance on healing.
What you may notice
- Stiffness after cast or brace removal
- Muscle weakness and wasting
- Swelling with activity
- Difficulty with everyday tasks
Common causes
- Immobilisation during healing
- Pain and protective movement patterns
What an assessment may include
- Review of fracture type and doctor’s precautions
- Range of motion and strength measurement
- Functional task assessment
Your care pathway
Gentle mobility within precautions
Progressive strengthening
Balance and functional training
Return to work and daily activities
Clinical detail
Progression follows bone-healing timelines and weight-bearing status agreed with the treating orthopaedic surgeon.
When to seek prompt medical help
- Increasing pain, swelling or numbness in the limb
- Calf pain, breathlessness or chest pain — seek emergency care
In an emergency, call 108 or go to the nearest emergency department. This website cannot provide emergency care.