How Preparing Before Surgery Can Help You Recover Better
If you're preparing for a hip or knee replacement, you may have questions about the hospital stay, how long recovery will take, or when you'll be able to get back to doing the things you enjoy.
But there's something many people don't realise: Your recovery can begin before your surgery. This is where prehabilitation, or prehab, comes in.
Prehab is a personalised exercise program completed before surgery to help prepare your body for the physical demands of recovery. Just like athletes prepare for competition before the big day, preparing your body before surgery can help you recover more confidently afterwards.
What Is Prehab?
Prehabilitation is a structured exercise program completed before surgery.
It focuses on improving your strength, mobility, balance and confidence with movement. These are all things you'll rely on during your recovery.
Joint replacement surgery is extremely successful at reducing pain and improving quality of life, but surgery is only one part of the journey. Recovery also depends on how well your body can adapt afterwards.
That's why preparing beforehand can be so valuable.
Why Prepare Before Surgery?
Many people leave building their strength until after surgery. While rehabilitation is incredibly important, recovering is often easier if you've already built a strong foundation beforehand.
After surgery you'll be using you will have to get in and out of bed, stand up from a chair, walk (with/ or without walking aids), climb stairs and return to everyday activities.
If your muscles have become weak because pain has limited your movement before surgery, these tasks can feel more difficult.
Prehab aims to improve your strength before your operation so your body is better prepared for recovery.
The Benefits of Prehab
Research has shown that exercise before joint replacement surgery can improve physical function before the operation and better prepare people for rehabilitation afterwards.
While everyone's recovery is different, prehab may help you:
- Improve muscle strength.
- Improve joint mobility.
- Increase balance and stability.
- Improve walking ability.
- Increase confidence with movement.
- Prepare for everyday activities after surgery.
- Feel more physically and mentally prepared.
One of the biggest benefits isn't just physical.
Many people say they feel more confident going into surgery knowing they've done everything they can to prepare.
What Does a Prehab Program Look Like?
Every person is different and your exercise program should be tailored to your current strength, mobility, type of joint replacement, other health conditions and personal goals.
A well-designed prehab program usually combines several different types of exercise.
Strength Training
Building stronger muscles around the affected joint helps provide better support before surgery and assists with recovery afterwards.
Mobility Exercises
Gentle mobility exercises help maintain the movement you still have while preparing your joints for rehabilitation.
Balance Training
Simple balance exercises can help improve confidence and reduce the risk of falls before surgery.
Functional Exercises
One of the most valuable parts of prehab is practising movements you'll use every day after surgery. These exercises directly prepare your body for everyday life after your operation.
Cardiovascular Exercise
Improving your overall fitness can also support recovery. Activities such as walking, cycling or exercising in water may help improve endurance while being gentle on your joints.
Your Exercise Physiologist can help determine which option is most appropriate for you.
Preparing Your Home Is Part of Preparing Your Body
Recovery isn't only about your body. It's also worth thinking about how your home will support you after surgery.
Simple preparations might include:
- Removing trip hazards.
- Ensuring frequently used items are easy to reach.
- Planning where you'll sleep if stairs are difficult.
- Organising help from family or friends if needed.
- Having any recommended mobility equipment ready before surgery.
Planning ahead can make those first few weeks much less stressful.
How an Exercise Physiologist Can Help
An Exercise Physiologist can help you for your joint replacement.
Before surgery, they'll assess your:
- Strength
- Balance
- Mobility
- Walking
- Everyday function
- Personal goals
From there, they'll create a personalised prehab program designed specifically for you.
Your exercises will progress safely leading up to surgery and can continue afterwards as part of your rehabilitation.
Final Thoughts
By improving your strength, mobility, balance and confidence before surgery, you're giving yourself the best possible opportunity for a smoother recovery and a faster return to the activities that matter most.
If you're planning a joint replacement, consider speaking with an Exercise Physiologist before your surgery.
Starting now could make a meaningful difference to how you recover later.
