What Is Pre-Surgical Therapy?
While most people understand the importance of undergoing physical therapy, a lot of folks don’t know about pre-surgical therapy and its importance. Pre-surgical therapy is a treatment program by a physical therapist designed to help you achieve greater outcomes after surgery. Also known as “pre-hab therapy,” pre-surgical therapy is recommended by healthcare professionals approximately one month prior to surgery.
No one really wants to have surgery, but living with a loss of function or pain leads many to undergo surgery every year. As people are now living longer, their joints are undergoing more wear and tear. This therapy is often done for those undergoing surgery for rotator cuff, hip, shoulder and ACL reconstructions. It’s critical for patients with these types of injuries to have surgery so they can resume daily activities.
The Goals of Pre-Surgical Therapy
The goals for pre-surgical therapy include:
- Mental and psychological preparation for surgery
- Reduce inflammation and pain after surgery
- Normalize movement patterns prior to surgery
- Increase range and motion
- Improve muscular control of the injured body part
- Improve overall fitness and well-being
- Gain a thorough understanding of exercises that are required following surgery
There will always be a loss of movement and mobility after having surgery. For a better outcome after surgery, pre-surgical therapy by a physical therapist has been shown to be effective for patients. Those who have had pre-surgical therapy wind up having increased stamina and strength after surgery. Daily function and mobility are also greater with pre-surgical therapy.
Pre-Surgical Therapy and Physical Therapy
It is important to note that the body will not regain normal motion without specific retraining. After a comprehensive assessment, a physical therapist will work together with the patient to establish goals and specific guidelines in order to resume normal activities after surgery. A pre-surgical therapy program is structured and tailored to the patient’s needs and type of injury. Both pre and post-surgical therapy are critical to a successful outcome after surgery.
Studies have been done to support the importance of pre-surgical therapy. “Forty-five patients admitted to the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Locomotor System for elective total hip replacement surgery, were recruited for a study. The assessment consisted of a detailed interview using various questionnaires: the Harris Hip Score (HHS), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS), as well as physical examination. Patients were assigned to groups based on their attendance of preoperative therapy. The patients who received pre-surgical therapy had a significant improvement in pain, daily functioning, vitality, psychological health, and social life.”
Are you getting ready for surgery? Be sure to call us to set an appointment for pre-surgical therapy. Our physical therapists address range of motion, balance, and strength. Plus, we’ll educate you about the procedure, what to expect and how to prepare. So, if surgery is in your future, contact us at River Edge, NJ center to get started with pre-surgical therapy and have a better outcome after surgery. The road to recovery doesn’t have to wait until after surgery.
