In preparation for orthopedic surgery, numerous precautions have to be taken. This is to ensure that the probable success rate of surgery is high. One might undergo orthopedic surgery for a number of reasons such as the following: musculoskeletal trauma, sports injures, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, etc. There are various medical and scientific sources that says that prehabilitiation before the actual orthopedic surgery is with merits. Also, keep in mind that orthopedic surgery is considered to be an umbrella term for various surgeries such as: hand surgery, joint reconstruction which is also known as “arthroplasty,” foot/ankle surgery, surgical sports medicine, and many other types of surgical fields.
According to what the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), at the United States Library of Medicine, says: it is believed that by improving the capacity of functioning before the anticipated/scheduled surgery, recovery would take place more quickly. After surgery, should it be successful, there is the rehabilitation process. In short, it enhances functional capacity. Usually, prehabilitation uses warming-up exercises, cardiovascular exercises, resistance training exercises, flexibility training exercises, etc.
Sentara Therapy Services, on its website, explains that conditioning prior to surgery has shown that it helps patients recover much faster. It offers a training program that lasts four to eight weeks. Through prehabilitation, one has a good chance of having more flexible joints. Thus, it increases the success of surgery and post-surgery rehabilitation.
Lower Extremity Review, in an article called “OA bracing may bolster prehabilitation protocols,” explains that preoperative exercises have proven to improve the successful outcomes of knee arthroplasty. Again, arthroplasty is a form of orthopedic surgery. The article starts out by promoting prehabilitation through various exercises and physical therapy before the actual surgery. The article lists such exercises as: aerobics, range-of-motion, muscle strengthening, etc.
It explains that within at least ten years, the number of people that suffer from osteoarthritis is expected to increase. Also, it is also believed that most of the anticipated number of cases may not need to get surgery in the first place. Because of that, a type of care that does not need surgery will be required.
Thus, that brings forth another role of prehabilitation before surgery. In regards to the article by Lower Extremity Review, prehabilitation will make the knee much stronger after surgery. During the recovery, the rate would be quicker. Thus, it will shave off a good amount of time from the recovery process. Also, this will increase strength and reduce knee pain. But, the article states that prehabilitation does have its limits.
Prehabilitation, in practice, will help the rate of success in regards to surgery; plus, it would help with the rehabilitation and recovery afterward. In short, prehabilitation is instrumental in a successful surgery and a quick recovery.
Sources Cited:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12432699
http://www.sentara.com/HospitalsFacilities/Therapy-Services/ServicesandTreatments/Pages/prehabilitation_orthopedic_surgery.aspx
