Having Surgery? Bounce Back Faster With Pre- and Post-Rehab

Having Surgery? Bounce Back Faster With Pre- and Post-Rehab

If you’re scheduled for an orthopedic surgery (such as a total joint replacement or an ACL repair), you probably already know you’ll need to undergo rehabilitation afterward with a physical therapist. But have you considered working with a PT before your surgery, too?

Pre-rehabilitation, sometimes called “prehab,” is a little less common than rehab, but it’s still an important part of the surgical process. Together, a structured pre- and post-surgical physical therapy program can help you maximize the benefits of your surgery.

We offer pre- and post-rehab here at ProTailored Physical Therapy, and today, we want to explore both programs in detail. And if you’d like more personalized guidance, just contact our clinic to speak to our friendly staff!

What You Need to Know About Pre-Op Physical Therapy

Surgery can be incredibly tough on the human body. It’s a highly invasive procedure that brings with it a host of complications, such as blood clots, post-surgical pain, and more.

Standard rehabilitation works to minimize these risks after the fact. However, prehab takes a proactive approach, allowing you to improve strength, fitness, and pain levels before you have your procedure.

Think of it this way: No athlete goes into a big game unprepared. They spend time training to ensure their strength, endurance, and performance are the best they can possibly be. Prehab is the same way–you’re preparing your body for the “big game” of surgery.

What Are Some Benefits of Prehab?

Improves strength and mobility, making surgery and recovery easier
Reduces pain and swelling before surgery
May help shorten hospital stays and overall recovery times
Decreases the risk of complications
Helps you understand what to expect after surgery, reducing anxiety

What Can I Expect During Prehab?

An initial evaluation in which one of our physical therapists assesses your strength, range of motion, balance, and pain level
Various pain management techniques, including manual therapy, ice/heat, or electrical stimulation, to help reduce discomfort
A therapeutic exercise program consisting of specific exercises to target weak or stiff areas, improve circulation, and support surrounding joints
Personalized endurance training consisting of low-impact cardiovascular activities to increase overall stamina
A detailed overview of what you can expect after your surgery, including training on mobility aids and rehab exercises

What You Need to Know About Post-Op Rehabilitation

Most orthopedic surgeries aim to correct whatever dysfunction is causing pain (for example, replacing an arthritic joint with a prosthesis). The results can be life-changing, but they don’t occur overnight. It takes time to restore your body to its optimal strength, mobility, and function.

That’s what post-surgical rehabilitation focuses on. A structured physical therapy program helps you recover from the surgery itself and work to get back to the activities that matter most to you.

What Are Some Benefits of Rehab?

Reduces pain and inflammation
Improves range of motion and overall mobility
Strengthens muscles and improves overall function
Helps you regain independence and return to your daily activities
Lowers the risk of long-term complications, such as chronic pain

What Can I Expect During Rehab?

Techniques to help manage acute pain and swelling, such as ice, compression, manual therapy, and assisted stretches
Guided mobility work to help restore movement in the affected joint or area without stressing healing tissues
Scar tissue management using hands-on therapy or tools to reduce the risk of long-term pain or stiffness
Targeted, progressive strengthening exercises to rebuild muscle at an appropriate pace
Balance or gait training to help restore stability in surgeries that affect your movement patterns
Functional training that helps you relearn everyday movements like standing, walking, or climbing stairs

Going Into Surgery? ProTailored Physical Therapy Is Here to Help!

If you have surgery scheduled, now’s the time to contact our clinic and learn more about how our pre- and post-op rehabilitation programs can help you make the most of your procedure.

Remember, your recovery starts before you ever head into the operating room. Schedule an appointment with us today to get started.

Prehab + Rehab = Faster Healing

Ready to feel your best again? Come back to ProTailored Physical Therapy and let us help you achieve your wellness goals — book your appointment today!

Click Here to Schedule Your Appointment!

Therapist Spotlight:

Dr. Gracie Clickovich

Favorite way to spend a day off?

Spending time outdoors—whether it’s hiking, playing pickleball or volleyball, kayaking, or ending the day with some ice cream. Anything active (and a little sweet) is my kind of day!

If you had a theme song, what would it be?

Dancing Queen by ABBA

Favorite local spots?

Promenade Park, The Deck, Eagle Marsh Nature Preserve, Country Heritage Winery, and the Coliseum for all the different events throughout the year!

If you came with a warning label, what would it say?

WARNING! EASILY DISTRACTED BY ANIMAL PHOTOS AND HIGHLY LIKELY TO SHOW YOU MINE!

Enjoy the juicy flavor of Greek-inspired turkey burgers blended with fresh spinach and Mediterranean spices. Healthy, hearty, and full of flavor, they’re a perfect twist on the classic burger night.

Enjoy This Seasonal Healthy Recipe!

Greek Turkey Burgers with Spinach

1 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 lb 93% lean ground turkey
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp dried oregano
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp ground pepper
4 small hamburger buns, preferably whole-wheat
4 tbsp tzatziki
12 slices cucumber
8 thick rings red onion (about ¼-inch)

Preheat grill to medium-high. Squeeze excess moisture from spinach. Combine the spinach with turkey, feta, garlic powder, oregano, salt and pepper in a medium bowl; mix well. Form into four 4-inch patties. Oil the grill rack. Grill the patties until cooked through and no longer pink in the center, 4 to 6 minutes per side. (An instant-read thermometer inserted in the center should register 165°F.) Assemble the burgers on the buns, topping each with 1 tablespoon tzatziki, 3 cucumber slices and 2 onion rings.

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Exercise of the Month

ERGONOMIC STRETCH

This simple stretch is designed to ease tension, improve posture, and prevent stiffness from long hours at a desk or computer.

How to do it:

Perform stretch for 20–30 seconds
Complete 2–3 repetitions
Repeat 2–3 times per day (morning, midday, and evening, or whenever you feel tightness)

This stretch should feel like a gentle pull, not pain. Over time, doing it consistently helps reduce discomfort and keep you moving more comfortably throughout your workday.

3 Tips to Improve Nutrition in the Fall

1. Try to eat more root vegetables

The majority of root vegetables are available all year, but they are most ripe from fall to spring. During the cooler months, garlic, onions, ginger, turnips, carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, and parsnips provide plenty of flavor and nutrients.

Many root vegetables are high in folate, which is essential for cell growth and metabolism!

2. Make a hearty soup

Making a large pot of soup every weekend is a great way to improve your nutrition throughout the week. Soups, while they can take several hours to cook, usually require very little active time.

When it comes to recipes to try, your options are virtually endless. There’s hearty bean soup, pureed root vegetable soup, winter squash soup, traditional chicken noodle soup, chili, and so much more! And with temperatures dropping, what tastes better than a warm stew?

3. Select leaner sources of protein

Did you know that regularly eating red meat and processed meat can raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke and certain cancers?

So, instead of opting for red meat, select leaner sources of protein for your meals and recipes. This can include chicken, turkey, beans, lentils, low fat yogurt, fish, tofu, and nuts.

Our Patients Get Great Results

“Thoughtful therapists who listen to my concerns. They follow through with specific instructions for exercise, and make sure I am doing them correctly. They make a person want to go back.”

– Amy S.

Refer a Friend

Our purpose at ProTailored Physical Therapy is to leave a greater impact on the community around us. In order to achieve our goal we want to change as many lives as possible as we become a beacon of positivity in our community.

Click Here to Refer a Friend!