Pre-Habilitation Physical Therapy Before Surgery

Most people think of physical therapy as something you do after something happens. After you start having pain, after you have an injury. But physical therapy is so much more than that. One alternate to rehabilitation is pre-habilitation. Pre-habilitation or pre-surgery physical therapy has been shown to improve outcomes and accelerate recovery. Undergoing surgery can be an overwhelming process. Pre-habilitation involves targeted interventions and exercises to optimize the body’s strength prior to surgery. This proactive approach prepares patients for the physical demands of surgery, setting the stage for a smoother, faster recovery.

Benefits of Pre-Habiliation Physical Therapy

One of the key benefits of pre-habilitation is its focus on building strength and endurance to the muscles surrounding the area to be operated on. Whether preparing for joint replacement, spine surgery, or other orthopedic procedures, strengthening muscles in advance ensures that they are more ready to handle surgery and rehabilitation. Other benefits include:

• Reduced Pain Post-Surgery – Patients who undergo pre-habilitation often report reduced pain as the result of their improved muscular strength. Improved muscle strength helps support the affected area and reduces the stress imposed upon the joints.
• Accelerated Recovery Time – Recovering from surgery can take weeks or even months. However, by improving muscle strength, joint function, and overall flexibility with pre-habilitation, patients can regain their independence and mobility much faster post-surgery.
• Reduced Risk of Complications – As a result of pre-habilitation, patients often are in significantly better condition when going into surgery. This improvement in overall fitness lowers the risk of post-surgical complications, such as infections, blood clots, and muscle atrophy. Pre-habilitation also improves balance and coordination, which reduces the risk of falls during the recovery period.
• Boosted Confidence and Mental Readiness – Pre-habilitation reduces anxiety and improves understanding of the surgery and recovery process. Patients find that they have greater confidence heading into surgery knowing that they have taken steps to physically and mentally prepare their body for surgery and recovery.

Pre-habilitation physical therapy is a proactive and evidenced based approach to surgery. It offers patients numerous benefits to prepare them for the challenges of surgery and recovery. Whether it’s strengthening muscles, reducing pain, speeding up recovery, or preventing complications, pre-habilitation physical therapy is valuable option for anyone preparing for surgery.