PT really is important. I was able to get my hyperextension strength back with 2 sessions a day for a month after having lost it. Always ask your potential surgeon if PT is included or if there's a physiotherapist of his that you can use. Dr Parihar has had patients with bad foot drop that managed to completely correct itself with vigorous physiotherapy and stretching that allowed them to avoid additional surgery. If something like that can be corrected through stretching alone then certainly can physiotherapy help prevent things like equinus, knee flexion, etc.