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Dr. David Aulick

The Importance of Prehabilitation: Preparing for Surgery with Physical Therapy

When facing surgery, especially orthopedic or joint-related procedures, preparing your body for the recovery process is crucial for a successful outcome. Prehabilitation, or prehab, is the process of using physical therapy before surgery to strengthen the body, improve mobility, and speed up post-operative recovery.


At The Athlete House Performance Physical Therapy in Lexington, KY, we offer specialized prehabilitation programs that help patients prepare physically and mentally for surgery. With Lexington physical therapy near me, you can reduce complications, recover faster, and get back to your normal routine more quickly after surgery.


What is Prehabilitation?


Prehabilitation focuses on building strength, flexibility, and endurance before surgery to optimize your body’s ability to heal afterward. Prehab can be particularly beneficial for patients undergoing:


  1. Knee or Hip Replacements: Strengthening the muscles around the joints can help support recovery and reduce strain on the new joint.

  2. ACL Reconstruction: Building strength in the quadriceps and hamstrings before surgery ensures a stronger, more stable knee during recovery.

  3. Rotator Cuff Repair: Improving shoulder mobility and strengthening surrounding muscles can reduce the risk of stiffness and promote faster recovery.

At The Athlete House Performance Physical Therapy, our Lexington physical therapists work closely with patients and their surgeons to design personalized prehab programs tailored to their specific needs.


How Physical Therapy Prepares You for Surgery


  1. Strengthening Muscles: Surgery often weakens muscles, and prehabilitation helps ensure they are strong enough to support the affected joint or area post-surgery. Physical therapy includes targeted exercises to build strength in the muscles surrounding the surgical site, reducing the risk of complications and improving recovery outcomes.

  2. Improving Flexibility and Range of Motion: Surgery can lead to stiffness in the muscles and joints. Prehabilitation includes stretching exercises that improve flexibility and range of motion, ensuring that your body is better prepared for surgery and reducing the risk of post-operative stiffness.

  3. Building Endurance: Physical therapy also helps improve cardiovascular endurance and overall physical stamina, which can aid in faster recovery after surgery. Prehab includes exercises that promote cardiovascular health and improve stamina.


By focusing on these areas, prehabilitation helps patients approach surgery in the best possible condition, leading to improved outcomes and a smoother recovery process.



Prehab Physical therapy


The Benefits of Prehabilitation


  1. Faster Recovery: Patients who undergo prehabilitation often experience faster post-surgery recovery times. By strengthening muscles, improving flexibility, and optimizing overall fitness, prehabilitation prepares the body to heal more efficiently.

  2. Reduced Risk of Complications: Prehabilitation reduces the risk of post-surgical complications, such as infections, blood clots, or poor wound healing, by improving overall physical fitness and promoting circulation.

  3. Better Surgical Outcomes: Patients who are in better physical condition before surgery tend to have better overall outcomes, including reduced pain, improved mobility, and a higher likelihood of returning to their daily activities more quickly.


At The Athlete House Performance Physical Therapy, we design personalized prehabilitation programs that help patients optimize their physical health before surgery, ensuring the best possible outcomes.


Customized Prehabilitation Programs at The Athlete House Performance Physical Therapy


At The Athlete House Performance Physical Therapy, we believe that every patient’s prehabilitation journey is unique. Our Lexington physical therapy clinic offers customized prehab programs tailored to your specific surgery, goals, and fitness level.


During your initial evaluation, our physical therapists will assess your strength, flexibility, and overall fitness to develop a treatment plan that prepares your body for surgery. Whether you’re preparing for a joint replacement, ligament repair, or another procedure, we’ll provide the care and guidance you need to approach surgery with confidence.


We also offer education on post-operative exercises, recovery techniques, and strategies to ensure you have the tools you need for a successful recovery



Prehabilitation is a critical step in preparing for surgery, helping patients strengthen their bodies, improve flexibility, and reduce recovery times. At The Athlete House Performance Physical Therapy in Lexington, KY, we specialize in providing personalized prehabilitation programs that optimize your physical health before surgery.


If you’re ready to start your prehab journey and prepare for surgery, contact Lexington physical therapy near me today to schedule an evaluation. Our experienced team is here to help you recover faster and achieve the best possible outcome from your surgery.






Frequently asked questions


How does prehabilitation help prepare for surgery?


Prehabilitation helps prepare for surgery by strengthening muscles, improving flexibility, and building endurance, ensuring your body is in the best condition for a faster recovery.


What types of surgeries benefit from prehabilitation?


Surgeries such as knee or hip replacements, ACL reconstructions, and rotator cuff repairs benefit greatly from prehabilitation, as it helps improve strength, flexibility, and overall physical fitness.


How long before surgery should I start prehabilitation?


It is ideal to start prehabilitation several weeks before surgery, though the exact timeline depends on the type of surgery and the patient’s physical condition.


Can prehabilitation reduce recovery time after surgery?


Yes, prehabilitation helps reduce recovery time by ensuring the body is stronger, more flexible, and better prepared to heal after surgery.


Is prehabilitation personalized for each patient’s surgery and needs?


Yes, at The Athlete House Performance Physical Therapy, prehabilitation programs are tailored to each patient’s specific surgery, goals, and fitness level to ensure the best outcomes.


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