What is Prehab?  And why is it important when you are considering surgery?

Prehabilitation is the process of enhancing the functional capacity of the individual prior to surgery, enabling them to better withstand the stressors involved and facilitating a faster recovery (Topp et al. 2002, Cabilan et al. 2015).

Pre-surgical exercise and education programs can increase activity tolerance and empower individuals with self-management and emotional coping strategies (Cabilan, Hines & Munday 2015; Tristiano et al. 2016; Moulton et al. 2015). The benefits of preoperative education are multifactorial, education primes people on what to expect immediately after surgery in terms of pain, rehabilitation and early mobilisation (Moulton et al. 2015) and this can help get them moving sooner after surgery.

What type of surgery is it suitable for? Almost all types! Including knee or hip joint replacements, joint arthroscopies eg cartilage procedures, general or abdominal surgery and cancer related surgery.

Benefits of Prehab:

  • Reduced post-operative complications (Moorthy & Wynter-Blythe 2017)
  • Reduced functional decline following surgery (Brown et al. 2014)
  • Shorter length of stay in hospital (Valkenet et al. 2011)
  • Improved functional exercise capacity following surgery (Gillis et al. 2014)
  • Enhanced exercise self-efficacy and confidence (Brown et al. 2014)

What does THE PREHAB PROGRAM involve:

  • Assessing you to find your Baseline Measurements, for a range of measures including mobility, strength and your understanding of what the surgery and recovery will involve.
  • Providing Education surrounding your surgery including what to expect with the hospital process, what the physiotherapist’s role is, what their mobility expectations are likely to be following joint replacement or general surgery, Pain Science Education, SMART Goal Setting and Falls Education.
  • Prescribing and teaching you a personalised exercise program to maximise your strength, muscle mass and endurance to best prepare you for surgery and rehab.
  • Helping you track your progress for better adherence.

If you, or any friends or family, are due to have surgery and would like to know if a Prehab program could help, please let us know. We’d be pleased to answer any questions over the phone and to help you organise a time with one of our team.

Steve O’Donnell

B.Physio, B.Nursing’(Peri-Op, Anaesthetics)

Prehab Program Coordinator at TPS