Many people have completed rehabilitation (physical therapy) after a musculoskeletal injury, orthopedic surgery, or some other trauma. Rehabilitation helps people regain strength, motion, and quality life to recover after such an event. Prehabilitation (prehab) helps people build strength, improve motion, etc. before surgery to allow for a better or easier recovery after surgery.
Prehab is most commonly completed about a month or two before a joint surgery, such as a knee, hip, or shoulder replacement. There are many physical factors that may be addressed in prehab, but strength, range of motion, balance, functional training, and cardiovascular endurance are among the most common. Patients are also educated about what to expect after surgery in regards to surgical precautions, post-op exercises, and transfer safety.
What are the benefits of doing prehab before surgery? Surgery places a lot of stress on your body, but improvements in physical fitness help your body to better manage this stress and decrease the risk of complications after surgery. In addition, the better you move before surgery the better you will be able to move after surgery. A variety of research studies show improvements in gait speed, strength, and proprioception and reduced lengths of stay in the hospital.1-3 In one study, approximately 20% of those completing prehab for total knee replacement decided not to have surgery or to postpone it to a later time due to the improvements in their overall well-being.1
If you or someone you know has an upcoming surgery, talk to your provider about the possibility of completing prehab. Although many people benefit from prehab, every person and every surgery is different. Your healthcare team can help you make the best decision for you to ensure the optimal outcome after surgery!
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Written by Abigail Anderson, PT, DPT
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