It is common to be prescribed physical therapy to help you recover from surgery. But did you know it is beneficial to go to physical therapy before your procedure too? Let’s talk about pre-habilitation, or prehab.
Prehab is commonly prescribed prior to surgery by your physician. In fact, it is starting to become a popular treatment for patients who hope to avoid surgery altogether, or those who want to set themselves up for the best possible surgical outcomes. If you have an upcoming surgery, prehab should be on your radar to set yourself up for success.
Prehab success for shoulder pain
Patients are becoming even savvier with scheduling physical therapy prior to surgery. An example of a great prehab outcome came from Dan, a patient in our Spooner North Mesa clinic. Dan presented with shoulder pain, advice from his doctor that surgery was his best option, and an inability to raise is left arm past shoulder height.
Ryan Bell, PTA, FAFS says, “Dan is a great example of a patient that had amazing outcomes with prehab here at Spooner! He came to physical therapy without any expectations that we could offer him help, but knew he wanted to avoid surgery. We were able to identify key biomechanical deficits that contributed to pathology of his shoulder. By doing so, we quickly reduced pain and began restoring functional movement patterns.”
After 6 weeks of physical therapy, Dan has regained 90% of his range of motion, is moving and feeling better, and has successfully avoided an expensive and painful procedure that would have significantly extended his time to recover.
Ryan says, “It’s always a fun experience to see such great outcomes when a patient is dedicated to the treatment plan and they begin moving and feeling better!”
Of course, avoiding surgery altogether is the best possible outcome that any patient can hope for. However, prehab sets you up for success even if you continue on with surgery. Yet, so many patients do not take the time to reap the benefits of prehab, and instead head straight to the operating room.
Why you should consider prehab before surgery
Doctors have prescribed complete bedrest when suffering from an injury, which means moving as little as possible to avoid any type of pain. This is a cautious, reactionary way to approach injuries.
On the other hand, prehab has been scientifically proven to help you achieve two broad goals:
- To prevent injuries before they occur
- To optimize the outcomes of a surgical procedure
Basically, prehab works to give you your best shot at a healthy and active lifestyle. It has been shown to help:
- Increase surgical outcomes
- Shorten hospital stays
- Patients regain strength faster
- Mentally prepares patients for surgery
- Avoid high risk side effects from surgery, such as infections
Ultimately, you are the one in charge of your health. Prehab is an opportunity for patients – in partnership with healthcare professionals – to take greater control of their health. You are giving yourself the best possible chance at a successful recovery, with or without surgery.
Physical therapy before surgery is unique for every patient and for every type of procedure. Do you have questions about the benefits of pre-habilitation or how to get started? We’re here to help! Schedule a complimentary movement screen or appointment here.
Read more about other signs that might signal it’s time to seek physical therapy.