Benefits of Prehabilitation
When someone has joint pain–like in their knee, hip, shoulder, and more–it can be really challenging to perform regular, everyday activities and to move around safely and effectively. For various injuries or diagnoses such as osteoarthritis, an orthopedic doctor might recommend joint replacement surgery to help fix the problem and improve your general mobility and performance of daily activities. However, when combined with a proactive approach called prehabilitation (or physical therapy before surgery), one can improve their outcomes after surgery! But how can it help?
- Muscle Strength: There is significant value that can be placed on how quickly you resume being mobile and using your body after surgery. The quicker you get moving after surgery, the less muscle loss you can experience. By doing physical therapy before the surgery, you can make your muscles stronger and your body more fit. The stronger and fitter you are before surgery or any other kind of stressful event on the body, the more likely you are to retain a higher level of function after said event. Our goal is to help build muscle mass and tolerance for exercise so you’re in the best shape possible for recovery.
- Joint Range of Motion: The muscles and tissues around a joint that is in pain may become tight and stiff over time. This can make it difficult to move the joint and can lead to further pain and disability. Physical therapy can help to improve range of motion and flexibility by stretching and strengthening the muscles and tissues around the joint. To have the best outcomes after a joint replacement, it is really important to have as great of a range of motion in that joint as possible before surgery.
- Weight Loss: Excess weight can increase the stress on your joints and can make pain worse. For example, we know that for every one-pound loss, that is equal to about 4 pounds less of a load exerted on the knee! Physical therapy can help you lose weight by providing you with an exercise program that is tailored to your individual needs, health status, and goals. This can improve outcomes after surgery, particularly for joint surgeries of the spine and legs.
- Managing Pain: Physical therapy can help you manage pain by teaching you relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation, and by providing you with exercises that can help to reduce pain. If your pain levels are reduced, you will be able to participate in an appropriate prehabilitation program focusing on strength, mobility, and range of motion.
- Reducing the Risk of Complications: Physical therapy can help to reduce the risk of complications, such as blood clots, by helping you to move around your house better, improve your range of motion and flexibility, and activate your muscles. Our physical therapists will always educate you on the signs and symptoms of blood clots, so you are aware of what to look for during your recovery.
- Psychological Considerations: Physical therapy can help you mentally prepare for surgery and recovery. Your physical therapist can teach you about what to expect during and after surgery. They can help you develop a plan for your rehabilitation and offer suggestions for equipment that may make the recovery process safer and/or more likely to be successful. Physical therapy can also give you a sense of control and empowerment, and it can help you feel more confident in your ability to get through the surgery and the recovery process.
If you are considering joint replacement or other orthopedic surgery, talk to your doctor about how physical therapy could be a good option for you. Physical therapy can help you improve your quality of life before, during, and after surgery!
Take that first step towards having a stronger life and reach out to the experts at iMove PT. You can book online or over the phone by calling (636) 893-8312. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us at info@imovephysicaltherapy.com .
By: Dr. Sammi Curry, PT, DPT