Preparing for surgery involves more than just scheduling a date—it’s about preparing your body and mind for the best possible outcome. Pre-surgical physiotherapy, also known as prehabilitation, focuses on building strength, enhancing mobility, and improving endurance before undergoing a procedure. By optimizing physical health ahead of time, people can recover faster, experience fewer complications, and return to their normal activities with greater confidence. In this blog, we’ll explore what pre-surgical physiotherapy involves, why it’s recommended for many surgeries, and how starting early can dramatically impact your recovery journey.
Understanding pre-surgical physiotherapy
Pre-surgical physiotherapy, often referred to as “prehabilitation,” is a proactive strategy designed to prepare the body for the physical demands of surgery. The primary goal is to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and boost cardiovascular endurance to support a faster, more effective recovery. During pre-surgical physiotherapy, clients work on targeted exercises that stabilize and strengthen muscles around the surgical site, helping promote better outcomes. Stretching routines and mobility work are also emphasized to maintain or improve joint range of motion, reducing the risk of postoperative stiffness. Light aerobic activities, such as cycling or walking, may be incorporated to enhance heart and lung function, which can aid recovery.
Pain management techniques, including manual therapy and modalities like heat or cold application, are sometimes used to alleviate pre-existing discomfort. Additionally, therapists provide education and training on safe movement techniques and the use of assistive devices for the post-operative period. By addressing strength, flexibility, endurance, and mobility ahead of time, clients can approach surgery with greater resilience and confidence, leading to smoother rehabilitation and a faster return to daily activities.
How pre-surgical physiotherapy improves surgical outcomes
Participating in physiotherapy before surgery has been shown to significantly enhance postoperative outcomes. Preparing the body in advance provides multiple benefits, including:
- Faster Recovery Times: Individuals who are stronger and more mobile before surgery often experience quicker rehabilitation timelines afterward.
- Reduced Postoperative Pain: Improved muscle strength and flexibility can help minimize pain and stiffness after surgery.
- Lower Risk of Complications: Better circulation, mobility, and strength reduce the likelihood of blood clots, infections, and poor wound healing.
- Improved Surgical Success Rates: Optimizing physical condition before surgery can enhance how well the surgical repair holds or heals.
- Enhanced Confidence and Readiness: Knowing what to expect and having a stronger, more resilient body can make people feel more prepared and motivated for recovery.
- Better Long-Term Functionality: People who undergo pre-surgical physiotherapy often maintain better strength, balance, and function long after surgery.
Investing time in pre-surgical physiotherapy helps set the stage for a safer surgery and a smoother, faster recovery process.
Surgeries that benefit most from pre-surgical physiotherapy
While prehabilitation can benefit almost anyone undergoing surgery, certain conditions and procedures see especially positive outcomes when physiotherapy is involved beforehand. Common examples include:
- Joint Replacements: Hip, knee, and shoulder replacements greatly benefit from strengthening and mobility work prior to surgery.
- Ligament Repairs: Procedures like ACL reconstruction are more successful when surrounding muscles are conditioned beforehand.
- Spinal Surgeries: Strengthening core muscles and improving posture before spinal surgery can ease post-operative rehabilitation.
- Arthroscopic Procedures: Minor surgeries on joints such as the shoulder, knee, or ankle can have faster recoveries when pre-surgical mobility is optimized.
- Fracture Repairs: In cases of delayed surgical repair after a fracture, prehabilitation can help maintain strength in nearby muscles.
- Chronic Conditions Requiring Surgery: Individuals with arthritis, rotator cuff tears, or degenerative joint diseases often benefit from pre-surgical conditioning.
Focusing on strengthening, flexibility, and endurance before these types of procedures can lead to significantly better surgical outcomes and overall function.
What does pre-surgical physiotherapy include?
A pre-surgical physiotherapy program is tailored to each individual’s needs, medical condition, and the specific surgery planned. Common components of a prehabilitation program include:
- Resistance Training: Exercises designed to strengthen muscles surrounding the surgical site, using body weight, resistance bands, or light weights.
- Stretching and Flexibility Exercises: Movements aimed at maintaining or improving joint range of motion and preventing stiffness.
- Balance and Stability Training: Core exercises and balance drills help improve coordination and reduce the risk of falls after surgery.
- Aerobic Conditioning: Low-impact cardiovascular activities, like stationary biking or swimming, enhance endurance and lung function.
- Breathing Exercises: Focused breathing techniques help prepare the respiratory system, which can be crucial after certain surgeries like abdominal or thoracic procedures.
- Manual Therapy: Hands-on treatments by the physiotherapist may be used to address soft tissue restrictions or pain before surgery.
- Education and Movement Training: Instruction on using crutches, walkers, or proper body mechanics ensures safer mobility immediately following surgery.
These exercises and techniques work together to prepare the body for surgery, support a healthier recovery, and minimize post-operative risks.
How long before surgery should you start physiotherapy?
The best time to start pre-surgical physiotherapy often depends on the type of procedure scheduled and the individual’s current physical condition. Generally, beginning physiotherapy about six to eight weeks before surgery provides an ideal window to build strength, improve flexibility, and learn important movement strategies. For more complex surgeries, such as total joint replacements or spinal fusions, starting two to three months ahead may be even more beneficial. Even when surgery is scheduled on short notice, beginning physiotherapy immediately can still offer meaningful improvements in strength and mobility.
Regular sessions, even over a few weeks, can make a notable difference in postoperative recovery outcomes. It’s important to remember that consistency matters more than the overall length of time—steady, progressive training tends to yield the best results. People with lower fitness levels or complex medical conditions may require a longer preparation period tailored to their needs. Starting physiotherapy early helps maximize the body’s readiness for surgery, reduces recovery time, and improves long-term function and mobility after the procedure.
Pre-surgical physiotherapy sessions: what to expect
A pre-surgical physiotherapy session is carefully designed to prepare you physically and mentally for surgery. Typical components of a session include:
- Initial Assessment: Your therapist will review your medical history, planned surgery, current function, and any physical limitations or pain points.
- Goal Setting: Together, you and your therapist will set realistic goals based on your surgery type and what you hope to achieve before and after the procedure.
- Targeted Exercise Program: You’ll work through exercises focused on strength, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular endurance, customized to your current abilities.
- Technique Training: Therapists will demonstrate safe ways to move, get in and out of bed, or use assistive devices like crutches or walkers post-surgery.
- Pain Management Education: Strategies for managing pain before and after surgery, including proper use of ice, heat, or relaxation techniques, are often discussed.
- Breathing and Circulation Exercises: In some cases, you’ll be taught breathing exercises to prevent respiratory complications after surgery.
- Progress Tracking: Each session is documented to monitor your improvements and adjust your program as needed.
Each session builds a foundation of strength, education, and confidence that helps support a smoother recovery after surgery.
Are there risks associated with pre-surgical physiotherapy?
Pre-surgical physiotherapy is generally considered very safe when properly supervised by trained professionals. However, like any physical intervention, there are some potential considerations:
- Overexertion Risks: Pushing too hard during exercises can cause temporary soreness or minor aggravations, though therapists adjust programs to avoid this.
- Existing Injury Exacerbation: Without careful planning, certain movements might worsen an existing injury, which is why individualized programming is crucial.
- Medical Contraindications: In rare cases, people with severe cardiac, pulmonary, or systemic conditions may need modified or gentler programs.
- Pain Flares: Some people may experience short-term discomfort as weaker muscles are activated or new movement patterns are introduced.
- Emotional Frustration: Facing physical limitations before surgery can sometimes feel discouraging, but therapists offer emotional support and coping strategies.
With professional guidance, the risks of pre-surgical physiotherapy are minimal compared to the significant potential benefits for surgical recovery.
Customizing pre-surgical physiotherapy plans
Every pre-surgical physiotherapy plan is personalized based on the individual’s surgery type, baseline function, medical history, and recovery goals. Customization usually involves:
- Surgery-Specific Exercises: Programs are tailored to strengthen and mobilize the muscles and joints most affected by the planned surgery.
- Condition and Health Considerations: Therapists adjust intensity and exercise choice based on chronic illnesses, previous injuries, or current fitness levels.
- Pain Management Needs: If a person is experiencing significant pre-surgical pain, strategies to reduce discomfort are incorporated into the plan.
- Functional and Lifestyle Goals: Whether the person wants to return to high-level sports or simply regain independence in daily activities, therapy is adjusted accordingly.
- Timeline and Surgery Date: The plan is designed to maximize improvements in the time available, with session frequency and intensity scaled appropriately.
- Psychological Readiness: Therapists also provide education and confidence-building exercises to prepare people mentally for surgery and recovery.
This individualized approach ensures that each client enters surgery in the best possible condition, optimizing their chances for a smooth, successful recovery.
Early rehab, better outcomes
Taking a proactive approach to your surgery can make a world of difference in your recovery. Pre-surgical physiotherapy is designed to strengthen your body, enhance your flexibility, and prepare you for a smoother, faster rehabilitation after surgery. Whether you’re planning a joint replacement, a ligament repair, or another procedure, building resilience now can help you regain independence and functionality sooner. To learn how a customized prehabilitation plan can support your upcoming surgery and long-term recovery goals, contact the team at Market Mall Physio & Chiro in Calgary NW today.
