Pre and Post Surgery Rehabilitation

Pre-surgery rehabilitation, also known as prehabilitation, is a program designed to prepare your body for surgery. By working with a physical therapist before surgery, you can reduce pain and inflammation, improve joint mobility, and strengthen the muscles that will be important in your recovery. This preparation helps you recover faster and more effectively after the surgery.

Post-Surgery Rehabilitation: After surgery, rehabilitation is crucial for regaining your strength, mobility, and function. Post-surgical rehab helps you safely return to your daily activities by managing pain, reducing swelling, and improving flexibility. Starting physical therapy soon after surgery ensures proper healing and minimizes scar tissue, leading to a quicker recovery.

How Does It Work?

Pre-Surgical Rehabilitation: This involves a personalized exercise program designed to improve your strength, flexibility, and overall fitness before surgery. The goal is to enhance your body's readiness for surgery, which can lead to better outcomes and a shorter hospital stay. The program typically lasts four to six weeks, depending on your needs.

Post-Surgical Rehabilitation: After surgery, your physical therapist will guide you on how to move safely, manage pain, and start exercises that promote healing. The therapist will teach you how to use assistive devices and help you regain your mobility. Post-surgical rehab is key to returning to your normal activities as quickly and safely as possible.

What Conditions are Treated in Pre and Post-Rehabilitation Programs?

Pre-Surgical Conditions:

• Hip Replacement: Exercise before surgery can reduce pain, improve function, and shorten hospital stays.
• Knee Replacement: Pre-surgery exercise and education help increase strength and prepare for a successful recovery.
• Cardiac Surgery: Pre-surgical therapy can reduce the risk of complications and shorten hospital stays.
• Abdominal Surgery: Prehabilitation, including breathing exercises and strength training, can decrease post-surgery complications.
• Colorectal Surgery: Exercise before surgery improves physical function and mental health, leading to better outcomes.

Post-Surgical Conditions:

• Shoulder: Rehabilitation after shoulder reconstruction, rotator cuff repair, or fractures.
• Elbow: Recovery after tennis elbow release, golfer's elbow release, or fractures.
• Wrist & Hand: Post-surgical rehab for carpal tunnel release, tendon repairs, or fractures.
• Hip: Recovery after hip replacements, labral repairs, or fractures.
• Knee: Rehab following knee replacements, ACL reconstruction, or meniscal repairs.
• Ankle & Foot: Rehabilitation after ankle reconstruction, ligament repairs, or bunionectomy.
• Spine (Neck & Back): Recovery after spinal surgeries like discectomy or spinal fusion.

Who Will Benefit?

Pre and post-surgical rehabilitation is recommended for anyone undergoing orthopedic surgery. It helps you achieve maximum strength, flexibility, and mobility both before and after surgery. A physical therapist may use manual therapies, exercises, and other techniques like heat, ice, or electrical stimulation to aid your recovery.

Benefits of Pre-Surgical Rehab:

• Faster Recovery: Preparing your muscles with exercises before surgery makes post-surgical rehab easier and more effective.
• Fewer Complications: Strengthening your body before surgery reduces the risk of complications like infections.
• Less Anxiety: Physical preparation boosts confidence and reduces anxiety before surgery.

Benefits of Post-Surgical Rehab:

• Improved Circulation: Enhances healing and reduces the risk of blood clots.
• Reduced Pain and Swelling: Techniques like icing and ultrasound help manage post-surgery pain and swelling.
• Regained Strength: Targeted exercises help you quickly regain strength and return to your daily routine.

Pre and post-surgical rehabilitation are vital steps in ensuring a successful surgery and a smooth recovery.