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Prehabilitation: Helping to Ensure the Best Possible Outcome Following Your Elective Surgery

February 28, 2021 | Tips & Trends
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By: Allison Weder

It is finally time to schedule your elective surgery! Why not take the steps to make sure you have the best possible outcome following your procedure? Prehab can help!

What is prehab? Simply put, it is rehabilitation, before surgery to make you the strongest and healthiest you can be when you head into the operating room. Studies show prehab helps patients feel better while improving function, prepares them for the physical challenges faced following treatment and improves their psychological outcomes by setting their minds at ease by providing knowledge of what to expect. Prehab also decreases the possibility of hospital readmissions, and ultimately, reduces healthcare costs.

How does it work? A typical prehab program enhances the effects of post-surgical rehabilitation by training the muscles in advance, for the exercises and activities you will need to do post-operatively. A session usually involves a warm-up, cardiovascular activity, resistance training, flexibility exercises, and practice in the use of walking aides such as crutches and walkers, if necessary. Paired with a highly effective post-surgical program, prehabilitation helps to restore range of motion, strength, and function to the joint quickly and effectively, getting you back to doing the things you love.

   

Phoenix Physical Therapy uses a prehabilitation program for many of its patients preparing for orthopedic surgery. Shelley Hanchett, PT, CHT says, “Prehab allows the patient the opportunity to learn the exercises and expectations BEFORE surgery and to practice those exercises that are crucial to proper healing and restoration of function. Prehab can better prepare the patient for the active role they will need to take to have the best possible outcome from the surgery. This is also a great opportunity to meet the therapist and build a relationship that helps to support the patient during the tough weeks directly following the surgery.”

Hanchett says the prehabilitation program at Phoenix also involves specific training for toilet, bed, and car transfers along with individualized information to help you negotiate the unique aspects of your home. Hanchett goes on to say, the highly trained therapists at Phoenix teach their prehab patients the signs of infection and blood clots, including the proper actions to take if any post-operative issues come up. Pain management and the use of ice are also included in the comprehensive program.

If you have questions about our prehabilitation program or would like to tour one of our clinics contact one of our locations near you.

The entire Phoenix Physical Therapy Team is committed to providing our patients with quality physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy in a safe and healthy clinic environment. We continue to follow the guidance provided by the CDC, WHO and public health officials to update you as new information becomes available. Let’s work together to keep each other safe and healthy.

The safety of our patients, communities and team members remains our top priority. We know you have a choice in your care providers and appreciate your commitment to Phoenix and our qualified clinicians.

Here are the actions we have taken to keep our patients, communities and team healthy & safe:

  • Flexible scheduling allows for social distancing
  • Regular cleaning and sanitation of all clinic surfaces
  • Facemasks must be worn by all Phoenix staff and are recommended for all patients
  • Screening questionnaire and temperature checks prior to entering clinics
  • 6 feet of social distancing throughout the clinics

Keeping Our Clinics Safe

Here are some tips on how we can keep each other safe:

  • Handwashing is your best self-defense against the spread of germs. When soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, use at least a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Please stay home if you are not feeling well, especially if you have a fever, are coughing or sneezing, or are experiencing shortness of breath. If a patient shows up with symptoms, the clinic team will work with them to reschedule.
  • Be vigilant. If you have traveled to any of the countries where there are outbreaks of the virus, please follow guidance from the CDC website and our Travel Guidelines.

Here are actions we are taking to keep our clinics clean and safe:

  • Equipment will be wiped down after EVERY use with antibacterial wipes/sprays
  • All surfaces that patients or staff may touch including door handles, countertops, seating, pens at sign-in, bathroom and all other common areas will be disinfected regularly
  • Treatment tables will be 6 feet apart
  • Team members will wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, particularly after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezin
  • Clinics will have hand sanitizer available at the front desk and in the treatment areas
  • Any Phoenix team members who are ill will be asked to stay home
  • We will maintain social distancing between patients in the clinic
  • Caregivers that are bringing a patient to the clinic should wait in their car or come back when the appointment has ended unless necessary (i.e. minor requiring a guardian or for assistance needs)
  • When possible, we will treat patients in private rooms to increase social distancing
  • Any patients that have underlying health issues (i.e. diabetes, respiratory problems, etc.) will be given the option to be seen during special clinic hours or can opt to be treated in a private room away from other clinicians and patients
  • All patients should be self-screening before entering the clinic. Our PCCs will perform a secondary screening during the check-in process and before patients enter the clinic including a screening questionnaire and temperature check.
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