PREHABILITATION- DOES IT WORK?
Prehabilitation (pre-hab) is a term appearing with increasing frequency in research. Prehabilitation is defined as exercises and education specific to a diagnosis typically performed by physical therapists prior to surgery. It’s a term used most commonly for orthopedic diagnoses.
Studies suggest many benefits:
Reduction in post-operative care and cost.
Reduction in fear regarding surgery through education on the procedure and early movement and strengthening. Often patients will then return to PT post op a head of where they would have been. Additional studies show superior post-op outcomes 2 years post-surgery in clinics with strong emotional, psychological support and progressive exercises.
So next time you are preparing to undergo surgery, check with your doctor and PT to see if pre-hab is for you!
Not all insurances will pay for prehab; check with your coverage before considering pre-op PT.
-Joann Tippett, PT, MSPT, CKTP, CCI