Why is Pre-hab So Important?

Go into surgery strong, so you come out even stronger. 

Visiting a physical therapist a few weeks before entering surgery can help decrease total recovery time. Why is this so? 

 Although the climb may look high when having to recover from a surgery, the view is greater with pre-habilitation. 

Let me provide you with a quick example: PRE-habilitation (rehabilitation before surgery) is often recommended by orthopedic surgeons for patients undergoing ACL repair or ACL reconstruction post knee injury.  Surgeons prefer to perform surgery when joints are less inflamed, as the final result of the surgery is more successful.

Studies have shown that working with a physical therapist to decrease joint swelling, pain and inflammation, while increasing joint range of motion post injury, results in improved surgical outcomes and overall patient quality of life. Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises can help decrease muscle spasms and initiate proper muscle fiber recruitment.  This helps you get a step ahead of your muscles from atrophying.  Your muscle memory returns quicker after surgery, if given a sneak peak PRE-surgery. 

Although this is only one example, these concepts carry over for many other types of surgeries. Discussing a plan of care with your doctor and physical therapist, can help decrease overall anxiety and stress leading up to your surgery. 

So why not go into surgery STRONG, so you can come out even STRONGER?!

The content on this site is solely for information purposes, and not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.