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Are you or someone you know gearing up for knee surgery? One essential step that often gets overlooked is PREHABILITATION. Pre-surgery physical therapy can significantly impact your recovery journey.
Why Prehab Physical Therapy Matters
Many believe the real work starts after surgery. However, engaging in targeted exercises and therapy before the procedure can make a world of difference.
Prehab PT aims to:
1. Strengthen Muscles: Preparing the muscles around the knee can help reduce post-surgery weakness, enabling a smoother recovery process.
2. Enhance Range of Motion: Prehab helps maintain and even improve your knee’s flexibility and mobility, laying a foundation for better movement post-surgery.
3. Reduce Pain and Swelling: Using soft tissue mobilization and cold compression therapy to potentially mitigate pain and swelling, fostering a more comfortable recovery.
4. Boost Mental Preparedness: Prehab is not just about physical readiness. It also mentally primes individuals for what lies ahead, reducing anxiety and ensuring a more confident approach to surgery and recovery.
What to Expect During Prehab PT Sessions
Typically, prehab therapy sessions involve a tailored regimen designed by a physical therapist. These might include:
• Strength Training: Exercises to build up muscles around the knee, such as leg press, squats, and resistance band exercises.
• Flexibility Exercises: Stretches to improve the knee’s range of motion, like hamstring stretches and calf stretches.
• Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques including soft tissue mobilization to help decrease pain and swelling.
• Education and Guidance: Therapists often provide education on what to expect after surgery, as well as guidance on using assistive devices like crutches or walkers.
The Impact of Prehab on Post-Surgery Recovery
Research suggests that those who undergo prehab PT tend to experience:
• Quicker Recovery: Individuals often regain mobility and function faster.
• Reduced Complications: Strengthening the knee beforehand may decrease the risk of complications post-surgery.
• Improved Long-Term Outcomes: Prehab can contribute to better long-term outcomes, including a quicker return to daily activities.
While the focus is often on post-surgery rehabilitation, the significance of prehab physical therapy should not be underestimated. It’s an essential preparatory step that can significantly impact the success of knee surgery and subsequent recovery. By dedicating time and effort to prehabilitation, individuals can pave the way for a smoother, more efficient healing process.
Remember, consulting with a healthcare professional, particularly a physical therapist or orthopedic surgeon, is crucial to developing a personalized prehab plan tailored to your specific needs and condition. So, if knee surgery is on the horizon, please reach out to us!
318-936-2004