JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERIES: MLD & recovery
Specialized Training in Safe, Effective lymphatic & soft tissue care

Joint replacement recovery often involves persistent swelling, post-operative edema, and scar-related restrictions ~ yet most manual therapy training offers little guidance on how to support these symptoms safely during rehabilitation. This course provides therapists with a clear, evidence-informed approach to managing post-surgical edema and scar mobility using manual lymphatic drainage and gentle, non-massage techniques that complement, rather than replace, physiotherapy, massage therapy and orthopedic care.

Designed specifically for patients recovering from knee, hip, and shoulder replacement, this training focuses on improving lymphatic flow, easing congestion, reducing stiffness caused by post-surgical swelling, and supporting healthy scar formation. Therapists will learn strategies that work around the surgical site with respect to healing timelines, safety boundaries, and scope of practice.

This hybrid program blends online anatomy and post-surgical safety foundations with a full day of guided, in-person practice and training. You’ll refine your understanding of joint-related lymphatics, learn gentle fascial and soft-tissue mobility techniques that support edema reduction (without performing massage on the surgical site), and build confidence in communicating with patients and collaborating with rehabilitation teams.

By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped to integrate focused lymphatic and scar-care support into your practice, helping patients move more comfortably through their recovery, reduce restrictions from swelling and scarring, and optimize their rehabilitation outcomes.

who this course is for

​This course is ideal for:
  • Therapists who want to safely support patients experiencing post-operative swelling, edema, and congestion after knee, hip, or shoulder replacement
  • ​RMTs working with clients in rehabilitation who have persistent stiffness, swelling, or scar-related restrictions impacting mobility
  • ​Therapists seeking evidence-informed, gentle techniques for managing edema and supporting healthy scar formation without performing massage on the surgical site
  • Practitioners interested in collaborating with physiotherapists and rehab teams to enhance patient outcomes
  • RMTs looking to expand their clinical skills with lymphatic, fascial, and scar-care techniques that complement orthopedic recovery
  • Therapists wanting practical, safe tools to help reduce swelling, ease discomfort, and support improved movement during rehabilitation​​
​Prerequisites:
  • Certification in EluVett Method Foundations course (or equivalent of Vodder II)
  • Basic understanding of anatomy (muscle and systems) and physiology
  • Comfort with hands-on learning and reciprocal practice

why this training matters

Post-operative recovery from joint replacement surgeries such as knee (TKR), hip (THR), and shoulder (TSR) replacement, often involves significant swelling, edema, stiffness, and scar-related restrictions. While these are normal parts of healing, many therapists receive little guidance on how to safely support patients through these challenges during rehabilitation.

As more patients seek evidence-informed strategies to manage post-surgical swelling and improve mobility, therapists trained in lymphatic care, gentle fascial and soft-tissue techniques, and scar management are increasingly in demand.

Skilled lymphatic and scar management care can help patients:
  • Reduce swelling, congestion, and post-surgical stiffness
  • ​Improve scar mobility and soft-tissue flexibility around the joint
  • Support natural lymphatic flow to optimize healing and recovery timelines
  • Enhance range of motion and reduce functional restrictions during rehabilitation
  • Complement physiotherapy and rehabilitation team protocols safely
  • Provide reassurance, comfort, and confidence to patients navigating post-surgical recovery

​This training equips therapists with practical, safe tools to support edema reduction, scar management, and mobility restoration, helping patients move more comfortably, support their work with physiotherapy and rehabilitation, and recover more effectively.

what you'll learn

Through a combination of online pre-learning and in-person hands-on training, you’ll develop the skills to safely and effectively support patients recovering from knee, hip, and shoulder replacement, focusing on post-operative edema, swelling, and scar-related restrictions. You’ll also gain confidence in collaborating with rehabilitation teams and providing safe, scope-appropriate care.

Day 1:
Pre-Learning
​Online, On-Demand​

 Build a strong foundation before the in-person class:
  • Anatomy of lymphatic pathways related to the knee, hip, and shoulder
  • Common post-operative changes following joint replacement surgery, including swelling, edema, and scar formation
  • Understanding post-surgical healing timelines, safety considerations, and contraindications
  • Recognizing normal versus concerning post-operative presentations
  • Safe techniques for working around surgical sites while respecting tissue integrity
  • Therapist body mechanics and positioning for safe post-operative care​​
Learn at your own pace.
​Must be completed before attending in person.

day 2:
1 Full Day of Hands-On
​In-Person Training​

Learn and practice the techniques you’ll use immediately in your practice:
  • Clinical assessment of post-operative edema, swelling, scar mobility, and tissue restrictions
  • ​Lymphatic drainage techniques to support edema reduction and optimal fluid flow around the joints
  • Gentle fascial and soft-tissue mobilization to improve comfort and range of motion
  • Scar management strategies using safe, non-invasive techniques including soft tissue release and cupping
  • Techniques to reduce stiffness and support joint mobility during rehabilitation
  • Patient-centered communication, expectation-setting, and aftercare guidance
  • Full-session treatment flow with guided partner practice, ensuring safe, precise, and effective technique

what you'll walk away with

  • Full post-surgical lymphatic care you can use immediately
  • Clear understanding of healing stages and safety boundaries
  • Tools that are gentle on your body and powerful for your patients
  • Confidence to begin offering lymphatic treatments right away​
  • Certificate of Completion

Join us!

Whether you're joining a scheduled EVM course or hosting one in your own clinic or wellness space, this course delivers a practical, transformative learning experience that stays with you ~ in your hands, in your patient results, and throughout your career.
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Ready to elevate your practice with powerful, restorative lymphatic work? Let’s get started!
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