Physio Before Surgery
Pre-hab: also known as pre-operative rehabilitation is physiotherapy BEFORE surgery. Rehab after surgery seems to be more familiar than rehab before surgery, but both can be helpful tools for your recovery. Although it is not a requirement here are a few reasons you may find pre-hab beneficial:
1. Setting Expectations
As simple as this sounds, gathering an understanding of what to expect after surgery can be incredibly beneficial in reducing both the physical and mental stresses associated with a procedure. Therapists will give you an idea of the following:
Average healing timelines (i.e. what the first week of rehab may feel and look like compared to the next few months of healing)
Assist you in creating rehab goals and begin to tailor a program specific to your goals (i.e. these could be anything from performance-based end goals to improving quality of life through activities of daily living)
Familiarize you with their style of treatment what a typical session would include
Review exercises you are likely to do after surgery (i.e. things that can be done immediately post-op to control inflammation, improve range of motion, reduce pain and improve cardiorespiratory function)
Create a plan for an area in your home where you can manage day-to-day activities in comfortably
2. Improve strength and mobility to the greatest degree possible prior to surgery
The stronger, more mobile and kinesthetically aware you are of your body prior to your surgery lends itself positively to:
Improved post-operative outcomes
Reduced post-operative recovery time
3. Managing pain prior to surgery
With elective surgeries being put on hold you may find yourself dealing with pain and discomfort you are not sure how to handle. Physiotherapy can assist you in managing these discomforts through a variety of options such as:
Active and passive stretching
Soft tissue mobility
Use of walking aids
Helping you understand your pain
You can start pre-hab any time before surgery, and every surgery and person will have unique and ideal timeframes. If you are curious to learn more or have questions feel free to give us a call to find out if pre-hab is right for you!
Jessie Brown
Hi, I’m Jessie! Edmonton born and raised, I am a graduate from the University of Alberta with a Bachelors in Kinesiology and a Masters in Physical Therapy; along with holding post-graduate training in Biomedical Dry Needling. While attending the UofA I played and captained for the Pandas varsity soccer team; and twice represented Canada at the Universiade games. Read More →