Prehabilitation: Preparing for Surgery with Physical Therapy to Improve Outcomes

Surgery can be an intimidating experience for many patients, not only due to the procedure itself but also because of the recovery process that follows. However, an emerging practice known as “prehabilitation” or “prehab” is enhancing surgical outcomes by preparing patients before their procedures. Twin Boro Physical Therapy focuses on prehabilitation as a proactive approach to improve patients’ health before surgery to reduce recovery time and improve overall results.

What is Prehabilitation?

Prehabilitation enhances a patient’s functional capacity through physical and psychological interventions before surgery. The goal is to boost the individual’s overall health and fitness so they are better prepared to withstand the stress of surgery and recover more quickly. At Twin Boro, we emphasize the saying, “the better your condition before surgery, the better your condition after.”

Prehabilitation can be beneficial for a wide range of conditions and surgeries. It is particularly common and helpful for surgeries that involve significant musculoskeletal rehabilitation or where recovery can be lengthy and challenging, including:

1. Joint Replacement Surgery: Including hip, knee, and shoulder replacements. Prehabilitation helps strengthen the muscles around the joint, improves range of motion, and educates patients on post-surgery care and exercises.
2. Spinal Surgery: For procedures such as spinal fusion or laminectomy, prehab can help strengthen the back and core muscles, which may improve recovery times and outcomes by stabilizing the spine and reducing the load on it after surgery.
3. Cardiac Surgery: Procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or heart valve surgery. Cardiovascular prehabilitation focuses on improving heart health through aerobic exercises, strength training, and sometimes respiratory exercises to enhance lung capacity.
4. Abdominal Surgery: Including surgeries for hernias or other gastrointestinal conditions. Prehabilitation focuses on general physical conditioning and specific exercises to enhance core strength and stability.
5. Cancer-Related Surgery: For various types of cancer, such as breast, lung, or prostate cancer, prehab can help improve physical strength and emotional resilience, manage symptoms, and maintain as much normal function as possible.
6. Orthopedic Surgery: For ACL repairs, rotator cuff repairs, and other reconstructive surgeries. Strengthening surrounding muscles and improving flexibility can help support the injured area and facilitate quicker rehabilitation post-surgery.
7. Transplant Surgery: Such as liver or kidney transplant. Prehabilitation for these cases often involves improving overall physical endurance and strength to help patients withstand major surgery’s effects and long recovery periods.

In each of these cases, prehabilitation is tailored to address the specific needs of the surgery and the individual patient. This proactive approach prepares the body for the physical stress of surgery and equips patients with the tools and knowledge needed for a successful recovery.

The Benefits of Prehabilitation

At Twin Boro Physical Therapy, prehabilitation offers several compelling benefits that can significantly enhance surgical outcomes.

1. Reduced Recovery Time: Studies have shown that patients who participate in prehab programs often experience shorter recovery periods. By strengthening muscles and improving cardiovascular health before surgery, patients can speed up their return to normal activities.
2. Decreased Risk of Postoperative Complications: Prehab can help minimize complications such as infections, pneumonia, and muscle atrophy. Improved physical fitness helps the body better cope with the strain of surgery and the postoperative period.
3. Enhanced Mental Well-being: Surgery can be stressful. Prehab includes mental and emotional preparation, which can reduce anxiety and improve patients’ overall mood before and after the procedure.
4. Better Long-Term Outcomes: By starting physical therapy before surgery and continuing it post-surgery, patients can maintain better long-term function and mobility.

Physical Components of a Prehab Program

The physical components of Twin Boro’s prehabilitation programs are meticulously designed to prepare patients for surgery, enhancing their recovery and overall surgical outcomes. These programs are customized to address the specific needs of each patient’s upcoming surgery and overall physical condition.

1. Targeted Physical Therapy: The cornerstone of prehab is physical therapy that focuses on strengthening, flexibility, and endurance. Exercises are carefully selected to target muscles and joints relevant to the specific surgery. For instance, a patient scheduled for knee replacement surgery would engage in exercises to strengthen the quadriceps and hamstrings and improve joint mobility and stability. Similarly, for shoulder surgery, the regimen would include exercises that strengthen the rotator cuff and scapular muscles to support post-surgical recovery.
2. Cardiovascular Conditioning: Cardiovascular training is a key component of prehab to ensure that patients are in optimal health before undergoing surgery. This involves aerobic exercises chosen based on the patient’s current fitness level and any existing health conditions. Common activities include walking, cycling, or swimming, which help to improve heart and lung function, boost stamina, and promote circulation. This conditioning is crucial for supporting the body through the stress of surgery and speeding up the recovery process.
3. Functional Training: This aspect of prehab focuses on improving the daily functional abilities of patients. Exercises and activities are incorporated to mimic daily tasks and motions, ensuring that patients maintain their independence as much as possible post-surgery. Functional training can include balance exercises, training on proper lifting techniques, and other activities that simulate real-life challenges patients might face during their recovery.
4. Flexibility and Mobility Work: Enhancing flexibility and joint mobility is another focus area in prehab programs. Through stretching exercises and mobility training, patients can achieve a greater range of motion, which helps in reducing the risk of post-operative stiffness and complications. This component is particularly critical for surgeries involving joint replacements and spinal procedures.

Each of these physical components is integrated into a cohesive prehabilitation plan to maximize patient strength, endurance, and functionality before surgery. Patients can significantly improve their recovery times and outcomes by entering surgery in better physical condition.

Integrating Prehabilitation into Your Surgical Plan

Twin Boro Physical Therapy works closely with surgeons and healthcare providers to incorporate prehab into your surgical plan. This collaboration ensures that your prehab program is fully personalized and optimized based on the specific surgical procedure and your unique health needs and includes:

• Communication with Surgical Teams: Our physical therapists maintain open lines of communication with your surgical team to ensure that your prehab program complements your surgical plan.
• Customized Protocols: Depending on the surgery, your prehab regimen may focus on specific body areas. For instance, patients undergoing abdominal surgery might concentrate on core stabilization exercises, while those preparing for joint replacement might focus on joint mobility and strengthening the surrounding musculature.
• Regular Assessments: Throughout the prehab process, regular assessments are conducted to monitor your progress and adjust the program as necessary. This ensures that you are always working optimally without risk of injury.

Patient Education: Empowering You for Better Recovery

Another key component of prehabilitation at Twin Boro is patient education. By understanding your surgery and recovery processes, you are better equipped to handle the challenges that may arise during your recovery. Our therapists provide comprehensive education on several fronts:

• Understanding Surgery: Detailed explanations about what to expect during and after surgery help demystify the process and reduce anxiety.
• Recovery Milestones: Knowing the typical milestones of post-surgical recovery can help you set realistic expectations and recognize signs of progress.
• Pain Management: Learning effective strategies for managing pain post-surgery can make a significant difference in your comfort and recovery speed.
• Self-Care Techniques: Training in self-care techniques, including wound care, mobility aids, and activity modifications, ensures you are prepared to handle your needs independently.

Maximize Your Surgical Success

At Twin Boro Physical Therapy, we are committed to ensuring our patients recover and prepare for surgery with the best possible outcomes. Prehabilitation offers a proactive way to improve surgical results through physical and psychological preparation. If you or a loved one is facing surgery, consider a prehab program at Twin Boro to enhance recovery and overall health. Find a Twin Boro location near you or request an appointment online. By engaging in prehabilitation, you can actively ensure the best surgical outcomes and the fastest recovery possible.