Pre-Surgery Optimization: Physical Therapy Tips

Pre-surgery physical therapy, or prehabilitation, prepares the body for the surgery and recovery to come. It is advantageous because it typically results in reduced post-operative pain, faster recovery, improved surgical outcomes, and enhanced physical function. Physical therapy near me helps patients develop a personalized plan for prehabilitation. The plan specifics depend on the surgery and the patient’s current condition. Still, most pre-surgery PT focuses on several aspects for post-surgery success.

PT Tips for Pre-Surgery Optimization

Patients who attend and commit to pre-surgery physical therapy Wichita, KS, will likely participate in treatment that includes cardiovascular fitness, strength training, and flexibility and range of motion exercises. Cardiovascular health, specifically as it relates to the heart and lungs, is crucial to prehabilitation. A therapist will likely suggest low-impact activities like walking, swimming, or stationary cycling to improve cardiovascular health.

Therapists will help patients build muscle and strength around the future surgical site. To build muscle, PTs will suggest bodyweight exercises, resistance bands, or free weights. Patients should not overwork prior to surgery, but committing to PT programs can and does have real-world advantages that cannot be ignored.

Surgical recovery is often painful for patients because of the stiffness of the surgical site. With pre-surgery PT, patients can ensure greater flexibility in the surgical areas. By establishing greater flexibility prior to the surgery, patients might experience less stiffness and pain.

Optimize Surgery Prep With PT

Attending physical therapy Hutchinson, KS, before surgery helps patients to prepare. Physical therapists help patients by teaching them about the surgery and the possible outcomes. They discuss the likely consequences of the surgery, including post-surgery pain. 

With advanced knowledge, patients can prepare psychologically for their operations. They can learn about the surgical process, address anxiety and fear, and clarify their role. 

Therapists can teach patients pain management strategies before surgery that can help in the aftermath. For example, PT often uses modalities like heat, ice, or electrical stimulation to reduce discomfort. These treatments and others might be possible after surgery to help mitigate some pain.

Physical therapists can also help patients perform post-surgery functional mobility training. The training helps patients learn to move with assistive devices (when necessary) and helps accelerate the healing process. When pre-surgery PT is combined with post-surgery PT, patients get the best from both therapies.

Concerns About Pre-Surgery PT

Some patients worry that prehabilitation will adversely affect their surgical outcome. They assume that the best thing they can do for their bodies before surgery is rest. While it is true that you don’t want to overexert yourself before surgery, some exercise and targeted therapy are beneficial. That is why you want to work with a qualified therapist who understands your condition and surgery.

Pre-surgery physical therapy leads to more positive outcomes following surgeries. Before committing to prehabilitation, consult your primary care physician and surgical team to learn more about your options. Once you have the go-ahead from your doctors, schedule a consultation with a pre-surgery PT to learn more about the process and how it can help.