Do I Need “Prehab” Before Joint Surgery?

If you have an upcoming surgery scheduled, you may feel a bit nervous and wonder what things will be like during recovery. These feelings are completely normal, but if you want to prepare yourself for a quicker and smoother recovery, you may want to consider rehabilitation.

Prehabilitation (often called “prehab) is defined as physical or lifestyle preparation that can help improve recovery time or outcomes following surgery. If you are having surgery to help correct a painful or functional problem, a side effect of your condition may be that you are not as active as you’d like to be. This inactivity can lead to lower muscle tone, reduced energy, poor balance and a variety of other issues that can impact your recovery after surgery.

Inactivity can also cause your joints to be even more stiff, which causes more pain, which then leads to a further decrease in activity – many people with joint pain feel trapped in this cycle. A physical therapist can provide individualized exercises to help you comfortably increase your activity level and strengthen key muscles that need to be strong during your recovery.

Benefits of prehab include:

• IMPROVED BALANCE. Core strength is extremely important when it comes to balance, and a few key exercises can help strengthen your core. Improved balance can help you better adapt to any limited mobility you experience after surgery.
• MORE ENERGY. Increased activity may feel tiring at first, but after a few sessions you will likely find that you actually have more energy. Having more energy will help your body better prepare for your upcoming surgery.
• SHORTER HOSPITAL STAYS. Helping your body prepare for surgery can often lead to a shorter hospital stay. In the case of knee surgery, patients are often required to take 50-100 steps before they can be discharged. Strengthening key muscles before surgery can help you meet those milestones faster.
• PREPARED FOR RECOVERY. After surgery, even the simplest tasks like getting out of the car or getting out of bed may be challenging. Prehab can help you practice safe ways to complete these tasks when you return home.
• PHYSICAL STRENGTH. Simply put, you will be physically stronger after completing a prehab regimen. The stronger you are going into surgery, the stronger you will feel coming out.
• MENTAL STRENGTH. It is normal to feel uneasy about undergoing surgery. Preparing your body can help prepare your mind and put your nerves at ease.

If you are considering prehabilitation, talk with your surgeon or contact a Renue Physical Therapy clinic near you. Our staff is ready to answer your questions and help you get the care you need, before or after surgery.