The advantages of completing post-surgical physical therapy have been established for years, but what about pre-surgical therapy? “Prehab” or therapy completed prior to surgery is a growing trend that allows patients shorter, more successful recovery periods after the surgery is completed. Prehabilitation initially gained popularity with orthopedists completing total joint replacements. They recognized the importance of heading into surgery with as much motion and strength as possible, while also focusing on reducing pain and inflammation levels. A recent study published in the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found that just one to two sessions of preoperative physical therapy can reduce post-surgical care costs up to $1,200 per individual! Prehab efforts have been successful enough in recent years to make them common practice for a variety of orthopedic conditions including rotator cuff tears, ligament reconstruction, and joint replacements, to name just a few.
COMPONENTS OF PRE-SURGICAL THERAPY
- Patient education on surgery, protocol and what to expect after
- Maximize strength and range of motion
- Reduce pain and inflammation levels
- Improve altered movement patterns and neuromuscular control
- Global conditioning – cardiovascular endurance, diet, well-being
Kevin Eischen, physical therapist at SportsCare’s Gresham location, had this to say on the topic of prehab – “ It is well known that preoperative therapy can improve a patient’s post-surgical experience, but it can also significantly improve an individual’s preoperative function, sometimes to the level of avoiding surgery all together. Either way it is a win-win for our patients.”
While the idea of surgery may seem daunting for many, prehab enables people to remain comfortable and informed leading up to surgery, while reducing healing time after. Recovery and healing no longer has to wait until after surgery. Give one of SportsCare’s locations a call for all your pre and post-surgical needs!