Why Prehabilitation is Essential Before Surgery

Introduction

Preparing for surgery involves more than just scheduling and planning; it’s about readying your body to recover as quickly and effectively as possible. Prehabilitation, or “prehab,” involves structured exercises, conditioning, and other therapies before surgery, all designed to build strength, flexibility, and resilience, leading to better surgical outcomes.

What is Prehabilitation?

Prehabilitation combines physical exercises, lifestyle adjustments, and sometimes dietary modifications aimed at boosting a patient’s physical state before surgery. It’s customized based on the type of surgery, specific areas of the body involved, and each patient’s fitness level and goals.

By strengthening muscles, enhancing mobility, and improving cardiovascular health, prehab reduces the physical strain that surgery places on the body, enabling quicker and more effective recovery.

The Key Benefits of Prehabilitation

1. Accelerates Recovery Time
   Patients who undergo prehabilitation often experience significantly faster recovery times than those who don’t. Building strength, endurance, and flexibility before surgery means that patients are better prepared to resume daily activities and rehabilitation exercises post-surgery.
2. Decreases the Risk of Post-Operative Complications
   Improving physical conditioning before surgery can help reduce complications such as infections, blood clots, and excessive post-surgical pain. A stronger, healthier body is more resilient to potential setbacks, which contributes to fewer hospital readmissions and faster discharge times.
3. Enhances Mental Readiness and Reduces Anxiety
   Preparing physically can have substantial mental benefits. Patients who participate in prehabilitation often report feeling more in control, confident, and mentally prepared for the upcoming procedure. This reduction in pre-surgery anxiety contributes to better overall mental health and a more positive recovery mindset.
4. Preserves Muscle Mass and Prevents Atrophy
   Prolonged post-surgical rest often leads to muscle atrophy. Prehabilitation helps counteract this effect by strengthening muscle mass and improving physical conditioning, preserving patients’ mobility and functional independence in the weeks following surgery.
5. Personalized Programs for Different Surgical Needs
   Prehabilitation can be adapted to various types of surgeries, each with specific physical requirements. For example:
   • Knee or Hip Replacement: Focuses on strengthening leg and core muscles.
   • Abdominal Surgery: Emphasizes core stability, breathing exercises, and cardiovascular fitness.
   • Cardiac Surgery: Includes cardiovascular exercises, often with light resistance training, to enhance heart health.

Who Can Benefit Most from Prehabilitation?

While nearly any patient facing surgery can benefit from prehab, it is particularly beneficial for:

• Elderly Patients with reduced mobility or muscle weakness, helping them maintain independence post-surgery.
• Individuals with Chronic Conditions like diabetes or heart disease, who may be at higher risk of complications.
• Athletes and Active Individuals who aim to return to high-performance levels post-surgery.
• Patients Undergoing Major Surgery such as joint replacement, abdominal surgery, or cardiovascular procedures.

How to Start a Prehabilitation Program

A prehabilitation program should be designed with the help of healthcare providers, especially physiotherapists. Key components include:

• Assessment of Physical Fitness: Initial tests help determine current fitness levels and identify areas for improvement.
• Customized Exercise Plans: Exercises focus on the areas most affected by the surgery.
• Nutritional Guidance: Ensuring that patients have balanced diets to support healing and muscle maintenance.
• Education and Guidance on Recovery Goals: Setting realistic milestones to motivate patients and provide a clear roadmap for recovery.

Conclusion

Prehabilitation is an essential step that improves surgical outcomes by preparing both the body and mind for surgery. From quicker recovery times to enhanced confidence, the benefits of prehabilitation extend well beyond the surgery itself, leading to long-term health improvements and overall quality of life.

Our team of professional mobile physiotherapists are here to help. Please contact us to discuss your situation and how we can help you.