You know what a rehab program is. But have you heard about prehab?
Athletes and surgical patients nearly always go through rehabilitation after an orthopedic surgery or injury. It’s a proven method to get your body back into shape following a serious operation or trauma to the joints or muscles. But are you also aware of prehab, or prehabilitation?
Unlike rehab, prehab physical therapy takes place before surgery to improve mobility and muscle strength. Athletes turn to prehab PT to avoid muscle or joint damage. It can boost their overall athletic performance, too. Though less well known than rehab, prehab may just be what you’re looking for to prevent injuries and recover faster from surgery.
What Is Prehab?
Prehabilitation is a proactive field of physical therapy. It’s often used by physicians and physical therapists to prepare a patient prior to the rigors of surgery. Exercises to increase quad strength, for example, can speed recovery following an ACL repair. In fact, one study found surgical prehab programs are safe and potentially effective in improving surgical outcomes.
Likewise, athletes participate in prehab to reduce injury risk and enhance their performance — even if they haven’t suffered a trauma. Rehabilitation, on the other hand, focuses on restoring a patient’s strength, mobility, and overall physical function post surgery or injury.
Prehab differs from a general fitness program, as well. A broad fitness regimen aims to build up cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and endurance. Prehab targets specific areas of muscle weakness or imbalances in the body to potentially prevent an injury.
Prehab PT can be beneficial to a number of individuals, such as:
- Professional athletes
- Active individuals
- Surgical patients
Prehab vs Rehab: What’s the Difference?
Though they sometimes overlap and complement each other, prehab and rehab have key differences:
Rehab
- Aids in recovery after surgery/injury
- Manages pain
- Restores the patient to their prior level of activity in sports, exercise, daily tasks
- Prevents re-injury
Prehab for athletes
- Reduces injury risk
- Strengthens both large muscle groups and smaller stabilizing muscles
- Increases joint range of motion and flexibility
- Stabilizes vital joints like the knee and ankle
- Improves balance and posture
Surgical prehab
- Continues for two to three months before surgery
- Lessens chance of complications
- Boosts patients confidence and mental well-being before an invasive operation
- Shortens recovery time
- Prepares patient for rehabilitation after surgery (exercises, how to use crutches, how to move safely)
Why Prehab Matters
A well-thought-out prehab workout can be a valuable tool in your comprehensive fitness program or a pre-op plan. Under the guidance of a physical therapist, prehab can:
- Prevent injuries
- Identify weak areas or imbalances in the body that can cause an injury
- Increase mobility and flexibility for better overall performance
- Lessen the risk of overuse injuries
- Lead to faster recovery times after surgery or injury
- Reduce the necessity for surgical intervention
- Lower the chance of a re-injury
What a Prehab Program Looks Like
An effective prehab program incorporates several PT techniques. However, prehab isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. It is based on your unique needs and lifestyle.
Assessment
Movement screening. A physical therapist can detect where your gait, movements, and posture are faulty and suggest corrective measures.
Strength evaluation. Weak muscle groups can be identified and strengthened with targeted exercises.
Mobility assessment. Tight joints and muscles can be loosened with stretching and mobility activities.
Customized Plan
Based on the screening, a physical therapist will develop a customized plan identifying those areas (muscle strength, balance, posture) in need of improvement. The plan will take into account the type of sport or workout activity you routinely participate in.
Types of Prehab Workouts
Programs vary based on the individual. The program mixes in several prehab PT exercises and should be performed two to three times a week.
Dynamic warmups: Leg swings, arm circles
Mobility and stretching exercises: Hip bridges, ankle pumps, foam roller
Strength training: Squats and lunges, resistance band exercises
Balance and coordination: Single leg stands, balance boards
Core and posture work: Side plank, bird dog
The Role of Prehab PT
Prehab is more than stretching at the gym or at home. It’s a proactive approach to physical therapy that emphasizes injury prevention and surgical recovery. A successful prehab plan blends a number of key elements.
Personalization. Prehab PT is based on sport-specific activities and addressing those areas where you need extra training.
Real-time monitoring. A physical therapist will closely monitor your mobility, strength, and balance to determine how you’re progressing. This data is used to make adjustments when called for.
Technique assessment. A physical therapist can also spot improper technique or form and get you back on track.
Visit the prehab specialists in New York City
At New York Bone & Joint Specialists, our physicians and physical therapists are not only trained in rehabilitating orthopedic injuries, but in prehab to prevent injuries in the first place, too. We want our patients to enjoy their sport and activities to the fullest extent, and we believe a well-crafted prehab plan can do that. We also recommend prehab to our surgical patients. Contact us today to learn more about this exciting innovation in physical therapy and orthopedic care.
FAQ
What exactly is prehab?
Prehabilitation or prehab is a proactive field of physical therapy emphasizing improved strength and overall fitness prior to a surgical procedure. Prehab PT can help patients withstand major surgery and recover quicker. Athletes also participate in prehab to avoid injuries.
How is it different from rehab?
Rehab is a more reactive approach to PT. It’s performed after a person undergoes surgery or suffers an orthopedic trauma. The goal is to fully restore their muscle and joint function. Prehab also differs from a general fitness routine to improve cardiovascular and overall health. Prehab takes a more targeted approach by singling out weak muscles or joints and other imbalances in the body for correction and strengthening.
What does a prehab program look like?
Prehab focuses on strengthening weak muscles and joints with the goal of improving performance and preventing injuries. Prehab PT corrects any faults in balance and gait, too. Surgical prehab is similar, but it also includes teaching a patient about how to use assistive like crutches and ways to avoid aggravating the surgical site. In this type of prehab, patients also learn about the exercises they’ll do after surgery.
Is prehab helpful?
Yes, it can be. One study reported positive results when patients went through a prehab program prior to surgery. An orthopedic physician and a physical therapist can develop a customized prehab plan for you.
