Surgery is often a stressful and worrisome experience; sometimes, the stress comes from not knowing what the future holds. While it’s always best to consult your physician for advice when you are faced with an upcoming surgery, other healthcare professionals like physical therapists can be part of your care team. In this article, we will discuss how physical therapy is an excellent choice when you are seeking to make the recovery time after surgery easier and less prone to complications. “Working ahead” in this case can help a lot in the future.
Prehab: surgery preparation
“Prehabilitation” is the process of physically preparing for the effects of an upcoming surgery. A PT can help you to learn the proper exercises to do daily, teach you how to use assistive devices before you encounter them at the hospital, and more. They are a resource for you to ask questions, get clarification on what to expect, and provide moral support.
Pre-surgical exercises are great for:
- maximizing your range of motion,
- Increasing strength in the affected areas,
- increasing your understanding of how to recover, and
- decreasing recovery time post-operation.
Depending on the type of surgery you will be undergoing, you will benefit from different types of prehab. For surgeries that are musculoskeletal-related, total hip replacements, and total knee replacements, a wide range of motion is recommended, for example. However, prehabilitation is not for everyone; some injuries with need for surgery cause pain and inflammation that can be exacerbated by too much movement, such as acute conditions like rotator cuff tears. This is where your surgeon and PT can work in concert to help you understand what is best for your situation.
When to begin prehab
For most surgeries, the ideal treatment plan begins 2-3 weeks before the surgical procedure. Visits to the physical therapists can be up to 2-3 times a week during this time, with plans put in place for home exercise and maintenance, as well. You are expected to keep up with your own PT plan in order to make the process of recovery as painless as possible.
A trained physical therapist will know what you need when you set up a consultation and they are made aware of your medical history. Physical therapy practices like Core 3 don’t require a referral to access services, but it is always best to get in touch with your physician and your surgeon to decide what the best course of action will be.
While an upcoming surgery may be nerve-wracking and introduce many concerns, seeking physical therapy can help to mitigate the effects and help you get back to normal life as quickly as possible. It’s easy to tell why this is a popular recommendation among many physicians. In our next article, we’ll discuss how seeking physical therapy is helpful post-surgery.
Contact CORE 3 Physical Therapy to learn more about how we can help you prepare for a scheduled surgery. We are a privately-owned clinic that provides specialty treatment in the area of women’s health, as well as common orthopedic injuries. No physician’s referral is necessary to access our services. With three locations statewide, we are your go-to provider in Pennsylvania!
