Prehab Before Your Procedure: How to Prepare for Knee Surgery
Elective surgery has been hugely impacted by the Coronavirus outbreak and many patients now find themselves facing a lengthy wait for their surgery.
If you are waiting for your surgical procedure to be re-scheduled, there are things you can do to ease any discomfort or mobility issues you might be experiencing. Here, you’ll discover the benefits of prehab before your procedure and how you can prepare for surgery.
What is prehab?
Prehab, or pre-surgery rehabilitation, focuses on getting the patient fit prior to surgery. It is a method that has been used by many leading surgeons long before the lockdown was introduced.
It largely focuses on physical therapy, using exercises to improve strength, flexibility, mobility and physical health.
What are the benefits of prehab before knee surgery?
There are many benefits of partaking in prehab before your procedure. It is mostly used to improve the success rate of the surgery and to improve recovery. However, it can also provide invaluable benefits prior to the surgery too.
Did you know the right prehab could help to ease any discomfort and mobility issues you may be struggling with? The right exercises can strengthen your joints and muscles, helping to make it easier to remain mobile. They can also help to ease pain, greatly improving your day to day life.
By focusing on prehab now, you could reduce the need for rehabilitation after the surgery and get back on your feet faster. Several studies have shown that flexibility, strength and aerobic exercises undertaken by patients waiting for a hip and knee replacement, can reduce their need for rehabilitation by 73%. You will also see the benefits of prehab within just 24 hours after surgery.
You should find, with the right program, you can successfully ease any pain you might currently be experiencing.
Focusing on light, gentle exercises before knee surgery
Prehab for joint replacement surgery typically involves light, gentle exercises. Your physiotherapist should be able to put together a plan to specifically fit your requirements. However, there are some general prehab exercises you can try if you are struggling to get an appointment.
Mini squats are great and easy to perform. Make sure your feet are hip-width distance apart. Lower the body down slowly to a mini squat position. Your knees and hips should be at a 45-degree angle. Remember to keep your back straight and your kneecaps should be directly over your second toes.
Heel raises are another easy and gentle exercise you can try. Hold onto a bench or chair in front of you, then slowly start to raise the heels until you are on your toes. Slowly lower them back down again and repeat nine more times. You should aim to do two sets of 10 heel raises, one on each leg.
To ease discomfort and build strength in the hips, carry out standing hip abductions. Again, hold onto a bench or chair in front of you, making sure you are standing straight. Lift one leg out to the side and bring it slowly back down again. Repeat this move ten times on each leg.
Overall, waiting for surgery can be frustrating and debilitating. However, prehab can really help to ease any discomfort you might be feeling. It will also help to improve your recovery after the surgery.
For more advice on how to prepare for your knee replacement surgery during this current time, call Mr Jonathan Webb on 08450 60 44 99 or 0203 195 2443 for his London clinic.
