If you’re having surgery, you’re probably already aware that rehabilitation is a critical aspect of the recovery process. Patients benefit from post-surgical rehab because it helps them get back on their feet and restores their full range of motion.
What most people don’t know, however, is that pre-surgical rehabilitation (pre-hab) can significantly speed up your recovery time after surgery.
Pre-hab is the process of working with a physical therapist to prepare your body for surgery, whereas rehab refers to physical therapy treatment after surgery. Physical therapy pre-hab has been demonstrated to speed up recovery times and even enhance surgical outcomes.
If you want to return to your normal routine as soon as possible after surgery, contact Nebraska Orthopaedic Physical Therapy in Fremont today. Our team of dedicated staff will prescribe you an individualized treatment plan that will help you heal faster and prepare for your impending surgery.
Understanding the differences between pre-hab and rehab
Pre-hab
Participating in a pre-hab treatment program with a physical therapist helps you get a jump-start on the recovery process and can help you have a more successful surgery. Your physical therapist will prescribe you exercises and therapeutic modalities that reduce inflammation and increase strength, which will give your body’s natural healing response an advantage as it recovers from an intense surgery.
Just seeing a physical therapist a few times will improve your overall health, so you’ll have more strength stored up to help you recover after undergoing your procedure. Working with a physical therapist in pre-hab will prevent you from feeling extremely weak after your surgery, since you will already have some built-up strength to make the process much easier on yourself.
Rehab
Whereas pre-hab strengthens your body before surgery, rehab strengthens your body after surgery.
It’s very natural to experience some pain and discomfort after surgery. You may find that certain motions become very challenging to perform, and that you need to limit your physical activity for a period of time after your procedure.
However, it’s critical to make sure you’re still getting the movement you need after surgery so you can regain your full range of motion and make a full recovery. This is where rehab comes into play.
Rehab is a must following surgery. Your physical therapist will teach you how to move safely after your surgery, in ways that will prevent reinjury, fight inflammation, and keep painful adhesions from forming. Rehab therapy will also help you gain strength so you can return to your desired routine quickly following surgery.
What results can I expect from pre-hab?
Pre-hab has been proven time and time again to be highly beneficial for patients who undergo surgical operations. In fact, a study published by the Arthritis Foundation, showed that patients who engaged in pre-hab had much better outcomes following surgery.
Engaging in a pre-hab treatment plan with a licensed physical therapist prior to surgery also gets patients out of the hospital faster. For example, a medical study involving knee replacement patients concluded that the patients who went through pre-hab treatments before their knee surgery were able to meet the requirements to get out of the hospital much quicker than those who did not go through any physical therapy prior to surgery.
In order to make the transition out of in-hospital care, knee replacement patients must demonstrate that they can successfully walk a certain distance and climb a set number of stairs. Meeting these standards is easier for patients who have worked with a physical therapist prior to surgery. Physical treatment has made their bodies stronger, which allows them to recuperate from trauma at a much faster rate.
Get a jump start on your recovery by contacting Nebraska Orthopaedic Physical Therapy today
The health benefits of pre-hab are undeniable. If the date of your surgery is approaching faster than you thought it would, call Nebraska Orthopaedic Physical Therapy today to take advantage of our strengthening pre-hab services.
Our team of dedicated movement experts will help you improve your strength before your surgery, so you can have a smoother postoperative outcome and a speedier recovery time. Don’t approach such a monumental health journey alone, contact Nebraska Orthopaedic Physical Therapy today to gain access to the supportive and knowledgeable team you deserve.
