Pictured: Alia Dieleman in the orthopaedic physiotherapy clinic at University Hospital.
May 22, 2025
By: Alia Dieleman, Physiotherapist
At London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), physiotherapists play a vital role in caring for patients throughout the hospital. We help individuals regain mobility, strength, balance, and endurance, facilitating recovery from surgeries, illnesses, or injuries, and preventing complications during hospital stays. By working collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams, physiotherapists contribute significantly to patient rehabilitation and discharge planning.
Becoming a physiotherapist
I grew up on a farm west of London, and after learning in an elementary school class what a physiotherapist does, I quickly decided that it was the career path for me. That early interest deepened through many years of continued education and exposure. After completing my Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Kinesiology at McMaster University in 2022, I returned home to pursue my Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) at Western University.
Path to LHSC
During my physiotherapy training, I completed placements in various areas, with my final one being in clinical neurosciences at LHSC’s University Hospital (UH). I was inspired by the collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to patient care. From joint sessions with occupational therapists to discharge planning with social workers, I loved seeing how team members worked together to prioritize the patient. Reflecting on where I wanted to start my career, I knew it had to be somewhere I would be valued and supported as a team member, and where I could continue to grow professionally as a physiotherapist.
In the fall of 2024, I began working as a physiotherapy resident within outpatient orthopedics at UH. I was immediately welcomed into the team and received structured mentorship. This helped guide my entry to practice, assisted me through challenging cases and supported me through the process of becoming a registered physiotherapist.
Supporting patients through their joint replacement journey
My role at LHSC focuses on supporting patients during their total hip or knee replacement (arthroplasty) journey. At LHSC, physiotherapists are involved in every stage: before surgery, on the day of surgery and in the weeks that follow.
Before surgery: Many patients receiving a joint replacement will go home on the same day as their surgery. To best prepare them for discharge, we assess potential mobility barriers. We also offer pre-operative education sessions that cover expectations for the days and weeks following surgery. These sessions include recommended equipment and support to have in place prior to surgery, as well as early post-operative exercises to begin supporting recovery.
The day of surgery: For patients with same-day procedures, we meet them in the day surgery unit a few hours after their procedure to assess their strength and mobility. This typically includes evaluating their ability to move around and use stairs to ensure they are ready to return home.
After surgery: In the 12 weeks following their surgery, patients can return to UH for ongoing physiotherapy care. During this period, we offer further assessments and personalized exercise prescriptions to support their recovery.
My favourite part of my job is talking with my patients about their specific goals. Whether it's walking their grandkids to school, pushing the lawnmower, climbing farm equipment, or refereeing basketball, I feel fortunate to be part of their journey back to the activities they love.
Looking ahead
One of the most rewarding aspects of working at LHSC is the opportunity to engage in various facets of physiotherapy practice. From acute care to outpatient rehabilitation, I’ve been able to apply and expand my clinical skills in many ways. As I continue my career, there is still so much to learn. I’m excited to see how the diverse range of patient cases and collaborative environment at LHSC will continuously challenge me to grow as a clinician in the years to come.