What Is General Rehabilitation at Wolper?
General Rehabilitation at Wolper Jewish Hospital is designed for adults recovering from orthopaedic, spinal, cardiac and other surgical procedures. Most patients transfer to Wolper four to seven days after surgery, once they’re medically stable and ready to begin structured recovery. Rehabilitation is also available for people managing conditions that affect mobility, balance, strength or independence, including neurological conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Every program is built around one goal: helping you return home safely, with the highest possible level of independence in your home, community and work life. Wolper is located in Woollahra, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, and treats patients from across greater Sydney.
Who is General Rehabilitation Suitable for?
General Rehabilitation is suitable for patients who have undergone orthopaedic, spinal, cardiac, and other surgical procedures. Patients transferring to Wolper will usually do so 4–7 days after surgery.
Rehabilitation services are also available for a range of medical conditions that affect mobility, balance, strength, and independence, including neurological conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.
The goals of our rehabilitation program focus on helping patients return home safely and achieve the highest possible level of independence within their home, community and work environments.
Who we help
General Rehabilitation supports patients recovering from a wide range of surgical procedures and conditions. The most common are:
Knee Replacement Recovery
Knee replacement recovery is one of the most common reasons patients transfer to Wolper. Once your surgeon confirms you’re ready, our multidisciplinary team builds a structured program of twice-daily physiotherapy to rebuild strength, restore range of movement in the new joint, and get you back on your feet safely. Recovery timelines are different for everyone, so your treating physiotherapist sets clear, individual goals from day one and tracks your progress against them throughout your stay.
Hip Replacement Recovery
The same structured approach applies to hip replacement recovery. Our physiotherapists and occupational therapists work with you from admission through to discharge, focusing on safe mobility, pain management and confidence in daily movement, so you can return home and get back to the things that matter to you.
Neurological Conditions
We also support patients living with neurological conditions, including stroke, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Neurological physiotherapy focuses on rebuilding strength, coordination and confidence, with a treatment plan shaped around your specific condition and goals.
Why Choose Wolper for Rehabilitation
Our specialised doctors, nurses and allied health team deliver outstanding, highlu personalised care.
You’ll have access to a heated, chlorine-free hydrotherapy pool and a fully equipped gym with dedicated areas for balance, mobility and functional strength training.
All rooms within the Hospital are private and well equipped, offering a modern ensuite, air-conditioning, internet and entertainment facilities.
Our library, outdoor terraces and landscaped garden provide areas for visits, relaxation and reflection.
There is free parking within the Hospital grounds and also in the surrounding streets. All food is prepared with the advice of our consultant dietitian and is strictly kosher. Shabbat and all Jewish festivals are celebrated with traditional foods and special events.
Our Multidisciplinary Team
Treatment is provided by an experienced multidisciplinary team that includes Rehabilitation Medicine Physicians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, nursing staff, pharmacists and discharge planners.
Each patient receives an individualised treatment program aimed at maximising function, promoting independence and improving overall quality of life.
Facilities include a heated chlorine-free hydrotherapy pool and a fully equipped gym with dedicated areas for balance, mobility and functional strength training.
How does the rehabilitation program work?
- Physiotherapy takes place twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
To be fit for discharge, the treating physiotherapist and occupational therapist must be sure that patients:
- Can get in and out of bed and off of a chair independently
- Are safely using a mobility aid such as crutches or a walking stick
- Are able to climb up and down steps if relevant
- Are achieving a functional range of movement in the operated joint
- Have been provided with a printed home exercise program which will be discussed with the patient
- Have any equipment needed at home. A home visit may be required to ascertain this.
- Achieve modified independence in self-care tasks
What happens on discharge from Wolper?
Following discharge, the physiotherapist will arrange follow up therapy as required. This may be at Wolper, or elsewhere closer to the patient’s home. Please let the physiotherapist know your preference prior to discharge so they can ensure the sessions are booked in and there is minimal delay between discharge and starting as an outpatient. If follow up sessions are to take place elsewhere please speak with the physiotherapist so that they can organise a referral to the desired location.
For those able to continue at Wolper, we offer Day Rehabilitation and MoveWell community exercise classes.
The Day Rehabilitation program runs between 3-6 weeks. Each appointment must include at least two forms of therapy being physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and an education session with either an occupational therapist or exercise physiologist.
Once the Day Rehabilitation program has been completed, fitness can be maintained by attending Wolper’s MoveWell exercise classes. Classes include aqua classes, strength and conditioning as well as falls and balance prevention.
Referral to Wolper
Referral is by the surgeon or the referring hospital. Patients will be assessed by our rehabilitation consultant on admission.
What to bring
Rehabilitation patients are required to bring:
- Medicare, private health fund membership and any relevant entitlement cards.
- List of current medications and dosage information. Medications must be in date and in their original boxes.
- Comfortable day clothes, shoes (not scuffs) and night attire.
- Comfortable clothing and shoes for exercising
- Front buttoning clothes (for people with upper limb issues).
- Swimming attire (for patients participating in hydrotherapy).
- Personal toiletries.
- Current x-rays or scans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Recovery timelines are different for everyone. Your treating physiotherapist sets individual goals from admission and reviews your progress regularly, so you’ll always know how you’re tracking against your own discharge criteria.
Referral to Wolper’s General Rehabilitation service is made by your surgeon or referring hospital.
Bring your Medicare and health fund cards, a list of current medications, comfortable clothing for daily wear and exercise, swimwear if you’ll be using hydrotherapy, personal toiletries and any recent x-rays or scans.
Your physiotherapist will arrange follow-up therapy, either at Wolper through Day Rehabilitation and MoveWell, or at a location closer to home, and will organise the referral so there’s minimal delay in continuing your recovery.
The goal of Wolper’s inpatient rehabilitation program is to enable patients to return to a safe and independent lifestyle within their home, community and work environment.
