Recover Faster With Pre-habilitation Exercises
Imagine embarking on a challenging hike without proper preparation. Could you conquer the steep inclines and rocky terrains without conditioning your body? The answer is likely no. Pre-habilitation exercises, often called “prehab,” are like a training regimen for your surgery. They focus on building strength, endurance, and overall fitness through physical therapy. This personalized preparation program can lead to a smoother surgical experience, a more efficient recovery, and a faster return to the activities you love.
Keep reading to learn more about how we can help you bounce back after surgery as quickly and efficiently as possible with our pre-habilitation exercises program.
The Benefits Of Pre-habilitation Exercises
Pre-habilitation exercises with physical therapy is an investment in your health with wide-ranging benefits, including:
Reduced Pain and Swelling
- Increased range of motion and strength before surgery can help lessen post-op pain, and reducing any swelling can help with pain levels and overall recovery.
Faster Recovery
- Undergoing prehab can help patients spend less time in the hospital after surgery and even progress through physical therapy more quickly.
Improved Function
- Better movement patterns and overall strength from prehab can lead to faster gains in mobility and daily activities.
Our physical therapists will assess your current pain levels, strength, and overall fitness level to identify any areas that need special attention based on your specific surgery.
We’ll create a plan that focuses on:
Strength Training
- Building muscle helps your body withstand surgery and support your recovery.
Pre-habilitation Exercises
- Targeted exercises will improve your range of motion, mobility, and overall physical preparedness for surgery
Education and Support
- We will explain why the pre-habilitation exercises we do are important and guide you through the proper techniques.
Success With Pre-habilitation Exercises
A woman in her mid-50s came to our clinic six weeks before her scheduled knee replacement surgery. Years of suffering with osteoarthritis had caused chronic pain, which limited her ability to walk comfortably. Her surgeon recommended pre-habilitation exercises at our practice to prepare her knee and body for an optimal surgical outcome.
We began with movements focused on improving her knee mobility and strength. As she progressed, we gradually incorporated pre-habilitation exercises targeting the muscles supporting her knees and hips.
These targeted exercises provided her with several benefits, including:
- Improved the knee’s bending and straightening motions
- Built strength in her hips and thigh muscles for knee support
- Enhanced balance for daily activities like walking up and down stairs and around her yard
We also worked on her walking endurance and overall stamina with low-impact cardio on a stationary bike. This focus aimed to give her a head start in preparation for physical therapy after surgery.
Her dedication paid off. By the time of her surgery, she had noticeably improved her strength and stamina. Her surgeon was impressed with her progress. She reported that her post-surgery physical therapy was far easier than she anticipated because of her strong foundation. Best of all, she was back to enjoying her daily activities much sooner than she expected.
Pre-habilitation Exercises With Schultz Physical Therapy
If you’re facing a planned surgery, whether it’s a joint replacement or another type of orthopedic operation, give us a call to learn about the benefits of pre-habilitation with physical therapy. Our pre-habilitation exercises program will help you prepare for surgery and uncover a stronger, healthier you.
