Prehabilitation and Rehabilitation: Keys to a Faster, Healthier Recovery

By Sangita Verma, PT, DPT, MBA, GCS, CEAS

Did you know that there are steps you can take ahead of a medical intervention that will help to ensure a smoother recovery?

Prehabilitation, or “prehab,” involves strengthening the body prior to a medical procedure such as a joint replacement, cardiac surgery or cancer treatment. Prehab can improve endurance, strength, and mobility, which can pay dividends post-treatment.

As a structured program, prehab can include a combination of physical exercise, nutrition and mental health support, and is designed to prepare the body, and mind, for post-treatment success.

Benefits of Prehabilitation

According to the National Institutes of Health, a person who lives a sedentary lifestyle can take longer to recover after a surgery than someone who is active. This is because an inactive body lacks the strength and endurance needed to recover efficiently.

Prehab ensures that you enter surgery or medical treatment with the best possible physical condition, leading to improved post-treatment outcomes and shorter recovery periods.

It is commonly used to support patients undergoing surgery or certain cancer treatments, and offers a number of important benefits. They include:

• Improved strength and endurance. Targeted physical exercises help to build muscle strength and cardiovascular endurance which can speed up recovery.

• Increased balance and mobility. Prehab exercises often focus on flexibility and stability, reducing the risk of post-treatment stiffness which can lead to falls.

• Reduced pain and complications. Strengthening the body before surgery or chemotherapy can help to reduce pain and fatigue and complications following a procedure. 

• More independence. Patients who undergo prehabilitation often find it easier to regain independence after treatment because their bodies are better equipped to handle movement and daily activities.

• Psychological benefits. Preparing your body for surgery and other medical treatments can give you confidence and peace of mind. For people experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression, prehab may involve talking with a counselor.

• Better nutrition. Some prehab plans will include dietary counseling to ensure patients have adequate nutrition for treatment and recovery.

• Healthier habits. Quitting smoking, losing weight or reducing stress may be recommended by your doctor, and can improve your long-term health.

Role of Physical Therapy

Physical therapy, or PT, is an essential part of prehabilitation as well as rehabilitation following disease, injury, surgery and for movement dysfunction.

Every patient’s physical therapy plan will differ and based on examination, physical therapists develop treatment plans to improve movement, reduce and manage pain, restore function, and prevent disability.

According to the National Institutes of Health, the primary goals of physical therapy are to help patients move more smoothly, strengthen weakened muscles and to relieve pain. Physical therapy exercises can be done in a practice or hospital, as well as at home.

Physical therapy is often used as a rehabilitation tool for addressing the following conditions: 

• Joint replacement surgery. Joint replacement surgeries, such as hip or knee replacements, require significant post-operative rehabilitation. Physical therapy helps patients regain strength, improve joint function, and return to their normal activities with greater ease. Without physical therapy, stiffness, weakness, and improper movement patterns can delay recovery and cause complications.

• Cardiac surgeries. Physical therapy can help patients who have had open-heart surgery, bypass surgery, stent placement, ablation or pacemaker placement by reducing risk of complications like blood clots, pneumonia and swelling.

• Cancer treatment. Depending on the type of treatment, physical therapy can help cancer patients reduce swelling and improve circulation, address numbness and tingling, and build strength and endurance to counteract fatigue which is a common side effect of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments.

• Abdominal surgeries. Following certain abdominal surgeries, physical therapy can help with breathing and circulation, and prevent complications from scar tissue buildup or muscle imbalances.

• Spinal surgeries. Physical therapy is commonly recommended for people who have had surgery for herniated discs, and for spinal fusions and lumbar and cervical discectomies. Stretches and strengthening exercises can help improve range of motion, increase blood flow to the spine to help with healing and strengthen core, hip and back muscles.

• Managing Osteopenia and Osteoporosis. Physical therapy can improve bone health. Weight-bearing exercises and strength training help maintain bone density, which is essential for people with osteopenia or osteoporosis who have weakened bones that are more susceptible to fractures.

• Prehab and physical therapy are important tools for improving recovery following a medical procedure and improving quality of life. Prehab prepares the body for treatment by improving strength and endurance. Physical therapy supports post-treatment rehabilitation by preventing injury and relieving pain.

Additional Benefits of Physical Therapy

In addition to aiding with prehabilitation and rehabilitation for a medical intervention, physical therapy is commonly used to treat the following conditions:

• Dizziness, vertigo and loss of balance due to inner ear disorders

• Neurological conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease

• Fall prevention and fall related injuries

• Managing pain and avoiding opioids for conditions related to arthritis, back and neck pain

• Concussion

• Sports specific injuries and pain caused by wear-and-tear injuries of the muscles, tendons or joints

• Overcoming barriers to physical activity to prevent and improve chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or obesity

• Respiratory diseases that affect the airways

• Pelvic floor problems such as pain or stress incontinence

• Developmental problems in children that affect the muscles and bones

Physical therapy focused on ergonomic assessments and education can help address poor posture and pain, as many people spend long hours sitting at a desk, or engage in repetitive tasks.

Many recreational and competitive athletes benefit from physical therapy because it can improve strength, flexibility and movement mechanics, which can prevent injuries and enhance their performance, with specialized treatment options for golf, tennis, swimming, basketball, baseball and pickleball.

Whether you are preparing for surgery, recovering from an injury, or looking to improve your physical health, prehab or rehab plans that incorporate physical therapy into your life can have lasting benefits for your mobility, strength, independence, and quality of life

For more information about Princeton Rehabilitation or to find a physical therapist with Princeton Rehabilitation call (609) 853-7840 or visit www.princetonhcs.org.

Sangita Verma, PT, DPT, MBA, GCS holds a doctorate degree in physical therapy, is a geriatric certified specialist, and is the Director of Rehabilitation for Princeton Rehabilitation.