Fracture Rehab
The fracture heals. Now we have to rebuild what stopped working.
Fracture rehab in Burlington
A few weeks in a cast or after surgery and your joint stiffens, the muscles waste, and the area protects itself. Structured rehab restores motion, strength, and confidence.
What we treat
Fractures we rehabilitate.
Most fractures benefit from rehab once they're stable — usually after the cast is off or after the surgeon clears motion. Earlier is generally better, within those constraints.
Lateral malleolus, bimalleolar, trimalleolar, pilon. Common after falls and sports. Restoring dorsiflexion is critical for normal walking.
Distal radius (Colles), scaphoid, ulnar fractures. Stiffness is fast to set in. Hand function depends on getting motion back early and safely.
Metacarpal, phalangeal, finger fractures. Often coordinated with hand therapy when fine motor function is involved.
Vertebral compression fractures, often from osteoporosis or trauma. Careful loading and posture work to restore function safely.
Slow to heal, painful with sitting and walking. Targeted rehab to restore comfortable function.
Proximal humerus, clavicle. Restoring shoulder range of motion and rotator cuff function while respecting healing.
Our approach
From stiff to strong, in a sensible order.
Fracture rehab moves from gentle motion to progressive loading to full return — too fast risks setback, too slow leaves you weaker than you have to be.
Once the fracture is stable, we work on getting normal motion back. Often the first 2-4 weeks of rehab focus heavily on this.
Manual therapy, soft tissue work, and graded movement to release the protective stiffness that builds during immobilization.
Rebuilding the muscles that wasted during recovery. Carefully loaded so the bone and surrounding tissue tolerate the stress.
Sport, work, daily life — whatever your goal is, we progress you toward it deliberately. Most people get back to full function.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about fracture rehab
When should I start rehab after a fracture?+
As soon as the fracture is stable enough — usually after the cast comes off, or earlier if your surgeon clears motion. Don't wait until you 'feel ready' on your own; the longer you wait, the more stiffness and weakness you'll need to undo.
Will I get full motion and strength back?+
In most cases, yes — particularly with early rehab. Some fractures (especially complex ones) leave a small permanent limitation, but proper rehab gets you as close to full function as biology allows.
Does it hurt?+
Restoring motion after immobilization can be uncomfortable, but shouldn't be sharp or alarming. We work within your tolerance and progress as your tissue allows. Pain that's escalating is information — we adjust.
Is rehab covered by insurance?+
Yes — extended health benefits typically cover physiotherapy for fracture rehab. WSIB covers it for workplace fractures, and motor vehicle insurance covers it for car accidents. We direct bill all major Canadian insurers.
Related services
You might also be interested in
Fracture rehab is run as part of our physiotherapy program.
If your fracture required surgery (ORIF, plates, screws), the rehab path overlaps closely with general post-op rehab.
Useful early-stage tool when weight-bearing on land is too painful or restricted.
Clinically reviewed by Stephanie Aubin, MPT
NEXT STEP
Tell us what's going on, and we'll help guide you to the right starting point.
Whether you're booking for yourself, sending a referral, or not sure which service fits, the next step should feel easy.