Which department should I see for rehabilitation after surgery?

2026-09-16 · Neutral information that names no hospital, doctor or region. No rankings, recommendations or reviews.

Which department

1. 1Rehabilitation Medicine(재활의학과)
   This department specializes in restoring physical function after illness, injury, or surgery. Specialists evaluate movement, strength, and daily functioning, then typically coordinate therapies such as physical and occupational therapy as part of a structured recovery plan. — First / second line: In Korea, Rehabilitation Medicine is available at both clinics(의원) and hospitals(병원). If your surgery was performed at a larger hospital, you will generally be referred internally or given a referral letter(진료의뢰서) to see this department; otherwise, you may visit a rehabilitation medicine clinic directly for evaluation.
2. 2Orthopedics(정형외과)
   If your surgery involved bones, joints, tendons, or ligaments, the orthopedic surgeon who operated may oversee your initial post-operative recovery and provide guidance on weight-bearing, wound healing, and mobility restrictions before or alongside rehabilitation. — First / second line: It is common to return to the operating surgeon for follow-up visits after bone or joint surgery; they may then refer you to Rehabilitation Medicine once the surgical site is sufficiently healed. Both departments sometimes manage the patient together during the transition period.
3. 3Neurosurgery(신경외과) or Neurology(신경과)
   When surgery involved the spine, brain, or nervous system, rehabilitation needs may be more complex, involving re-learning movement patterns, balance, or speech. These departments may remain involved and work alongside Rehabilitation Medicine to monitor neurological recovery. — First / second line: Patients who had spinal or neurological surgery are generally followed closely by their surgical or neurology team first, with referral to Rehabilitation Medicine coordinated based on the stage of recovery and the nature of functional goals.
4. 4Physical Medicine Clinics within Hospitals(병원 내 물리치료실)
   In Korea, physical therapy(물리치료) is generally carried out under the direction of a Rehabilitation Medicine physician or the referring surgeon. The actual therapy sessions take place in a physical therapy unit, and a valid prescription from a physician is typically required. — First / second line: You generally cannot access physical therapy directly without a doctor's order in Korea's healthcare system. Securing an evaluation at Rehabilitation Medicine or your surgical department first is typically the necessary first step before therapy sessions begin.

Go to the ER / call 119 if

Before your visit

• Bring your surgical discharge summary or operation report, as it contains details about the procedure that the rehabilitation physician will need to plan your recovery.
• Note the exact date of your surgery and any restrictions your surgeon gave you, such as weight-bearing limits or movements to avoid.
• Make a list of all medications you are currently taking, including any prescribed after surgery, so the physician can consider interactions with therapy.
• Describe specifically which functions you are having difficulty with — for example, walking, climbing stairs, lifting, or gripping — rather than just noting general weakness.
• If you had any imaging studies such as X-rays or MRI scans related to your surgery, bring the image files or printed reports.
• Note whether you have previously received any rehabilitation or physical therapy, and if so, what types and for how long.

General principles

Rehabilitation Medicine(재활의학과) focuses on maximizing a patient's functional recovery after surgery by assessing physical impairments and coordinating a multidisciplinary approach that may include physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other allied health professionals. The physician in this department does not typically perform surgery but instead evaluates how well the body is recovering and adjusts the rehabilitation plan over time based on progress.

In Korea's healthcare system, post-surgical rehabilitation often begins within the hospital where surgery was performed, with early mobility guidance provided by the surgical team. Once the patient is stable enough, a formal referral to Rehabilitation Medicine is generally made, and ongoing outpatient therapy sessions are scheduled at a clinic or hospital rehabilitation unit — typically requiring a physician's prescription at each stage.

The general principle behind post-surgical rehabilitation is that restoring function gradually and safely reduces the risk of complications such as muscle atrophy, joint stiffness, and secondary injury. The pace and type of rehabilitation vary considerably depending on the type of surgery, the individual's age, overall health, and pre-surgical condition, which is why consultation with a physician is the essential starting point before beginning any recovery program.

Patients who had surgery abroad or at a different facility in Korea should generally bring as much documentation as possible when first visiting a rehabilitation department, since the physician needs to understand what was done surgically in order to design a safe and appropriate recovery plan. In Korea, health insurance(건강보험) generally covers rehabilitation services when a physician's referral and diagnosis are properly documented, though the scope of coverage can vary.

FAQ

Related questions

• Which department should I see for chronic pain?
• Which department should I see for forward head posture or poor posture?

Find a clinic (external directories)

External directories for finding a clinic by region once you know the department (public data, no rankings or recommendations).

• Hospital directory by region (koreahospital.org)