Pre-operative physiotherapy

19/10/2020

Getting pre-operative physiotherapy rehabilitation can be one of the best decisions a person can make for his or herself prior to undergoing a surgery. Pre-operative physiotherapy rehab packs a powerful punch of benefits that many people are totally unaware of. This is probably because not nearly as many people receive physiotherapy rehab before a surgical procedure as they do after. If you are scheduled to have major surgery, consider pre-operative physiotherapy rehab for yourself.

What is Pre-operative Physiotherapy Rehab?

A pre-operative physiotherapy rehab program is an exercise-based program that is custom designed by a physiotherapist for individuals who plan to have a surgery in the near future. The point of engaging in this type of rehab is to improve surgery outcomes, strengthen body and mind, and reduce a patient's post-operative recovery time.


How Pre-operative Physiotherapy Rehab Strengthens Your Body and Mind

Do you plan to undergo a surgical procedure in the next few weeks or months? If so, pre-operative physiotherapy rehab may benefit you tremendously by preparing your body for surgery. Major surgeries are hard on the body. They can leave a person physically and emotionally weak. Life after surgery for many people is largely sedentary, which causes muscles to atrophy and strength to further diminish. 

Pre-operative physio:

  • Reduces pain and inflammation
  • Restores range of motion
  • Improves muscular control of the injured joint or area
  • Normalizes movement patterns before surgery
  • Improves well-being and increases fitness level
  • informs about the movements that need to be avoided for a while

Working with a physiotherapist prior to surgery will not only make your body stronger; it will also prepare your mind for what to expect after surgery and will teach you how to help yourself. 

Pre-operative rehab familiarizes patients with the exercises they will be doing post-surgery, which reduces mental stress of the unknown.

Pre-operative Physiotherapy Rehab Can Save You Money

In addition to strengthening a person's mind and body, pre-operative physiotherapy rehab saves patients money by reducing their need for post-operative care. The article Preoperative Physical Therapy Results in 'Significant' Reduction in Postoperative Care Use for Patients Undergoing Hip or Knee Replacement stated:

"A new study has found that as few as 1 to 2 sessions of preoperative physical therapy can reduce postoperative care use by 29% for patients undergoing total hip or knee replacement, adding up to health care cost savings of more than $1,000 per individual." 

The article said that only 54.2% of patients "who received even a small number of physical therapy sessions before surgery" needed post-acute care services, whereas 79.7% of patients who did not participate in physiotherapy sessions before their surgeries required it. Clearly, participating in a pre-operative physiotherapy program pays off financially, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

If you plan to undergo a surgical procedure, please contact me for a pre-operative physiotherapy session.