Introduction:
Orthopedic surgeries such as knee replacement, ligament repairs, and other spinal treatment procedures are often done to reduce the pain in the affected area. By doing so, the quality of life of the person gets enhanced. The main focus is on post-operative rehabilitation. The rehabilitation process also focuses on prehabilitation, where the patient is prepared for the surgery. This included targeted lifestyle, regular exercises, lifestyle adjustments, and psychological support, which helped to enhance the patient's physical and mental condition before the surgery.
What Is Meant by Prehabilitation?
Prehabilitation is considered “prehab,” where the patient is mentally and physically fit before the surgical procedure. It recognizes the patient’s health and can influence the ability of the patient to tolerate surgery and complete recovery. By enhancing the patient's physical condition before surgery, prehabilitation helps reduce complications, speeds up recovery, and improves the overall surgical experience.
What Are the Main Components of a Prehabilitation Program?
Prehabilitation focuses on improving the physical and mental well-being of the patient in various dimensions before surgical procedures. The components of prehabilitation include:
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Targeted Exercise Routine:
Performing certain exercise routines in daily life can enhance overall strength, endurance, and flexibility before surgery. These exercises are recommended as they focus on the affected region and surrounding muscles and confirm a complete range of motion to ensure the person is in the best shape as they enters the operating room.
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Nutritional Support:
Proper nutrition and diet have an essential role in overall health. It also plays a major role in recovering from surgery. The body's nutritional needs can be fulfilled by following the proper diet suggested by the dietitian. These nutrients, vitamins, and minerals will enhance the healing process.
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Mental Preparation of the Patient:
When the patient is nearing the surgery date, considering any emotional or mental issues can help to lower stress and anxiety and help to enhance overall mental health. Certain methods, like relaxation techniques, mindful practice, etc, can help.
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Patient Education:
The patient is made aware of the details of the surgery, the role of the patient in the recovery process, and accessibility to the required resources, which can help to contribute to the success of the patient's prehabilitation.
What Are the Various Benefits of Prehabilitation?
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Reduces Complication:
Patients who have had a prehabilitation program before any surgery will have a lower chance of post-operative complications. There will be a reduced chance of infection, excessive bleeding, occurrence of blood clots, etc.
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Enhanced Surgical Outcomes:
When the patient gets the surgery done in their best condition, the outcome will be better. Increased strength, flexibility, and mental preparedness will reduce the procedural timing and result in successful surgery.
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Quick Recovery:
Prehabilitation plays an essential role in recovery and can enhance the post-recovery time. It helps the person regain strength, function, and mobility faster than unprepared patients. Having a good foundation and health can help the patient recover to their normal life easily.
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Enhance Confidence and Resilience:
If the patient is mentally and physically prepared it helps them to face any challenges that may come along during the recovery phase.
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Better Surgical Outcomes:
If the patient is involved in prehabilitation exercises, it helps strengthen the muscles, joint mobility, and cardiac fitness. All these factors result in good surgical outcomes.
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Breathing and Relaxation Techniques:
Breathing techniques are very important to calm the patient post-surgery. By learning breathing and relaxation techniques, the patient can decrease anxiety and manage pain during the post-surgery phase.
What Is the Role of Orthopedic Physical Therapy Before Surgery?
Orthopedic physical therapy concentrates on certain aspects that help in surgical outcomes and recovery,
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Muscle Strengthening:
Muscle strengthening and conditioning in the affected region can affect the outcome of surgery and better recovery. Orthopedic exercises target and challenge specific muscles to enhance the strength of the muscle, endurance, and functioning of the affected joint.
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Flexibility and Range of Motion:
The main purpose of prehabilitation is to increase the joint's flexibility and enhance the affected joint's range of motion. Doing so helps the joint function properly, lowers the risk of complications, and helps in recovery. Orthopedic exercises involve stretching exercises that help increase the range of motion, which eventually helps in post-operative outcomes.
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Pain Management:
Pain management is very important in the recovery phase. If pain is managed before any orthopedic surgery, it will help to enhance the patient’s comfort, mobility, and overall outcome.
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Cardio Fitness:
Good cardio health contributes to good surgical outcomes. This also reduces any complications through proper circulation and oxygen delivery and helps the body handle stress during surgery.
In Which Surgeries Do Patients Require Prehabilitation Programs?
Prehabilitation can be applied to many surgical procedures but plays a vital role in
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Joint replacement surgery.
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Spinal surgery.
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Orthopedic trauma and fracture surgery.
What Is the Importance of Prehabilitation in Orthopedic Surgical Outcomes?
Musculoskeletal conditions are a significant cause of disability in a huge population. The waiting for the surgery is a very tiring process, but this time can be utilized for prehabilitation. Prehabilitation can help to enhance flexibility, muscle strength, joint mobility, and functioning. Focusing on these factors before the surgery helps achieve a better outcome.
Is It Necessary for the Patient to Have Prehabilitation Before Surgery?
The patient should consult with the orthopedist regarding the prehabilitation programs in case of complete joint replacement. The joint mobility and strength should be maintained before the surgery.
How to Get Started?
If the patient is scheduled for orthopedic surgery, they must request a prehabilitation program. In this, pre-surgery and prehab techniques will be made clear to the patient, which will help them have a great and successful surgery and recovery.
Conclusion
Prehabilitation programs play an essential role in orthopedic surgery as they help to enhance muscle strength, flexibility, and function. In the case of this procedure, the patient is prepared physically and mentally before the surgical procedure. Before surgery, people with a prehabilitation program will have good outcomes and a better recovery phase. Prehabilitation helps to improve the quality of life of the person.
