Pre-Surgical Rehab
Physiotherapy For Pre-Surgical Rehab
Your rehab doesn’t have to wait until after your surgery, in many cases it is beneficial to start working on strengthening before you have your operation.
Pre-surgical rehabilitation, or “prehab,” is a proactive approach to prepare your body for surgery. It focuses on improving strength, mobility, and overall physical function to ensure a smoother recovery process. Whether you’re scheduled for a joint replacement, ligament repair, or another procedure, pre-surgical rehab can help optimize your outcomes, reduce complications, and shorten recovery time.
How Physiotherapy Can Help
Pre-surgical rehabilitation is tailored to your specific needs and surgical procedure. Physiotherapists provide:
- Evaluation of Current Function: Assessing your strength, mobility, and compensatory movement patterns to identify areas for improvement.
- Targeted Strengthening Programs: Building the muscles that will support the surgical site, such as strengthening the quadriceps before a knee replacement or the rotator cuff before shoulder surgery.
- Improved Range of Motion: Stretching and mobility exercises prepare the joint or area for surgery, ensuring a better post-surgical outcome.
- Balance and Coordination Training: Reducing the risk of falls or further injury before and after surgery.
- Education and Preparation: Teaching safe movement techniques, post-surgical exercises, and the proper use of assistive devices.
- Overall Fitness Enhancement: Cardiovascular exercises to ensure your body is in the best condition to handle surgery and recovery.
Benefits of Pre-Surgical Rehab
Pre-surgical rehabilitation offers numerous advantages, including:
- Faster Recovery Times: Patients who engage in prehab often recover more quickly after surgery.
- Improved Surgical Outcomes: A stronger and more mobile body leads to better surgical results.
- Reduced Pain and Swelling Post-Surgery: Preparing the muscles and tissues can minimize inflammation and discomfort.
- Confidence and Mental Readiness: Knowing what to expect and being physically prepared can ease anxiety.
- Fewer Complications: Improved strength, balance, and fitness reduce the risk of post-surgical complications, such as infections or falls.
Who Can Benefit from Pre-Surgical Rehab
Pre-surgical rehab is beneficial for a wide range of procedures, including:
- Total Joint Replacements: Hip, knee, or shoulder replacements.
- Ligament Reconstructions: ACL or other knee ligament surgeries.
- Rotator Cuff Repairs: Preparing the shoulder for optimal recovery.
- Spinal Surgeries: Including discectomies and spinal fusions.
- Fracture Fixations: Recovery from severe fractures involving surgical hardware.
If you’re scheduled for surgery, prehab ensures you enter the operating room stronger, healthier, and ready for the best possible outcome.
Come See Us To Prepare For Your Surgery!