Pre-operative rehabilitation is also known as “Pre-Hab”. Pre-hab can be provided by physical or occupational therapists. In pre-hab you are provided services in preparation for a surgical procedure. Pre-hab can be done before many surgical procedures for all areas of the body including knee, hip, spine, shoulders and hands. Doing pre-hab allows you to safely maximize your strength and flexibility around the joint requiring surgery. Completing pre-hab can help to reduce the deterioration that occurs naturally after an injury. Having improved flexibility and strength allows for improved post-surgical outcomes and often allows for a speedier and easier post-surgical rehab process.

Your physical therapist will develop an individualized strengthening and conditioning program for you based on your injury and surgical date. Pre-operative rehab will help to reduce swelling, decrease pain, and strengthen muscles in a safe manner prior to your surgery. Having stronger surrounding muscles helps to support injured and post surgical structures better than weaker and tighter muscles. Supporting these structures allows for improved healing and decreased pain.