Set yourself up for an easier recovery with pre-surgical PT
Do you have a surgical operation planned soon? It is natural to be a little worried about how well the surgery will go or how long your recovery period may be.
Many people participate in physical therapy treatments after surgery as part of their recovery plan, which can be helpful for the healing process.
Fortunately, at Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners, we can help ease your mind a bit. Request an appointment with us today to learn more about how pre-surgical physical therapy can benefit you!
Quick summary: why pre-surgical PT (pre-hab) matters
- Faster recovery: Strengthening muscles before surgery significantly reduces post-operative downtime.
- Pain management: Proactive therapy helps manage inflammation and pain before the procedure.
- Avoid surgery: In some cases, improved joint function and strength can eliminate the need for surgical intervention.
- Better outcomes: Patients with higher pre-surgical stamina have a lower risk of post-surgical complications.
- Mental readiness: Pre-hab prepares you for the specific exercises you will need to perform during your recovery.
Goals of a pre-habilitation program
- Mentally prepare for surgery
- Reduce pain and inflammation
- Restore range of motion
- Improving muscular control of the injured joint
- Normalizing movement patterns before your surgery
- Improved overall well-being and fitness
- Gain a good understanding of the exercises that you will perform immediately after surgery
6 main benefits of pre-surgical physical therapy
There are six key aspects to pre-surgical rehabilitation and how it can help you be successful:
1. You could avoid surgery
If your pre-hab treatments work well in improving your pain and overall condition, it may be possible to avoid surgery altogether.
Some patients found that their pre-surgical therapy treatments did wonders and were sufficient in reducing their pain that they canceled their procedure.
If your condition begins to improve considerably after starting physical therapy, you’ll want to consult with your physician regarding future treatment options and the possibility of avoiding surgery.
2. You can find pain relief
No matter what your surgery may be for, our physical therapist can help reduce your pain through pre-hab.
This can be done through a variety of methods, including exercise, massage, or ice and heat therapies.
3. You can decrease your risk of complications
Physical therapy treatments, especially those incorporating exercise programs, can help increase your strength and endurance.
As a result, this can strengthen your immune system, reducing the risk of infection after surgery.
4. You can decrease your recovery time
Having strong, toned muscles before surgery helps you get back to your routine quickly.
Completing a prehabilitation program prior to surgery can significantly enhance your recovery, leading to a smoother and more efficient outcome compared to proceeding without physical therapy.
5. You can improve your overall outcome
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) states that pre-hab can improve overall surgical outcomes and even help save money if everything goes smoothly.
The stronger you are before surgery, the more likely it is to be successful, with Stanford Medicine research showing that personalized prehab reduced moderate-to-severe complications from 41% to 15%.
6. You can increase your stamina
Whatever surgery you may need, you will always experience some loss of strength afterward.
However, pre-hab can help in reducing the amount of strength lost by increasing your stamina before the operation.
Engaging in a physical routine before surgery will improve your overall stamina and make the surgery much easier.
What can I gain from pre-surgical PT?
Surgery can take a traumatic toll on your body; therefore, it is typically only performed when other options are no longer effective.
According to the National Institutes of Health, participating in exercise therapies before surgery can significantly improve your post-operative outcomes and reduce your recovery time.
Pre-hab helps improve your range of motion and movement patterns with exercises you can perform before and after your surgery to speed up your recovery time.
Pre-hab also helps improve strength and promote pain relief before surgery, preparing your body for the procedure. It can also help you prepare mentally, with studies showing significant mental health improvements in pre-habilitation patients.
Overall, pre-surgical physical therapy will help you improve your physical health and promote overall wellness.
What can I expect from pre-surgical PT?
It is no secret that the preparation for surgery can leave you feeling anxious, but a pre-hab program may be able to put your mind at ease.
Pre-surgical rehabilitation, also referred to as pre-hab, is increasingly recommended by surgeons, as research involving 15,000+ patients demonstrates it can improve patient outcomes.
Studies have shown that beginning physical therapy a month or so before surgery can significantly speed up your recovery time, with 80% recovering baseline function by 8 weeks post-surgery compared to only 40% without prehab.
A pre-surgical rehabilitation plan will help you get physically and mentally prepared for your upcoming procedure.
Ready to get started?
Starting a pre-hab program means you’ll be able to establish a positive training routine that you will already be accustomed to before your surgery, and that you can take into your recovery for a better outcome.
Pre-surgical rehabilitation has been shown to provide numerous benefits for surgical patients.
By consulting with one of our physical therapists, you can find out which treatment plan will best help you achieve optimal results.
Being as strong, flexible, and healthy as possible prior to surgery can help you regain normal function more quickly afterward.
Begin your pain-relief journey today
Our physical therapy clinics in Utah, Idaho, and Montana offer the best treatment options available.
For the best results, it’s important to get started as soon as possible. If you are planning on having surgery, contact Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners today to speak with one of our qualified team members.
Request your appointment today to prepare for an easier procedure and a smoother recovery.
Your next steps
- Request an appointment
- Receive a custom treatment plan
- Work hard and progress in your recovery
- Recover & enjoy life pain-free!