Understanding Pre and Post Surgical Rehabilitation
Pre and post-surgical rehabilitation focuses on preparing the body for surgery and supporting recovery afterward. Surgery; whether orthopedic, spinal, or soft-tissue, places significant stress on the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Rehabilitation helps optimize strength, mobility, circulation, and neuromuscular control so that patients recover more efficiently and return to daily activities with greater confidence.
Pre-surgical rehabilitation (“prehab”) aims to reduce pain, improve joint mobility, and maintain strength prior to surgery. Entering surgery in a stronger, more stable state is associated with better outcomes, fewer complications, and faster recovery timelines.
Post-surgical rehabilitation supports healing while restoring movement, strength, coordination, and function in a structured and progressive manner. Care is always individualized and aligned with surgical protocols, tissue-healing timelines, and patient-specific goals.
Common Causes and Triggers
Pre and post-surgical rehabilitation may be recommended for individuals undergoing surgery related to:
Joint replacements (hip, knee, shoulder)
Ligament or tendon repair (ACL, rotator cuff, Achilles)
Spine procedures (disc, decompression, stabilization)
Fracture repair
Soft-tissue or sports-related surgeries
Recurrent injuries that failed conservative care
In many cases, surgery is preceded by long-standing pain, reduced mobility, weakness, or altered movement patterns factors that rehabilitation specifically addresses.
Typical Signs and Symptoms
Patients seeking pre or post-surgical rehabilitation may experience:
Pain, stiffness, or swelling
Reduced range of motion
Muscle weakness or loss of coordination
Difficulty walking, lifting, or performing daily activities
Protective movement patterns or fear of movement
Post-operative inflammation, scar sensitivity, or deconditioning
These symptoms are common and expected during different stages of recovery. Structured rehabilitation helps guide safe progression and minimize setbacks.
Evaluation, Management, and When to Seek Support
Care begins with a comprehensive, individualized assessment. This includes a detailed history of your condition and upcoming or completed surgery, a review of relevant imaging or surgical reports when available, and a thorough physical examination. We assess joint mobility, soft-tissue function, strength, coordination, posture, and movement patterns to understand how your body is compensating and where support is needed. When appropriate, neurological screening is also performed to ensure the nervous system is functioning as expected throughout recovery.
Management is always stage-specific and guided by tissue-healing timelines. Early on, the focus is typically on pain control, swelling reduction, protection of healing tissues, and maintaining safe movement. As healing progresses, care shifts toward restoring joint range of motion, improving soft-tissue quality, and gradually reintroducing load through targeted strengthening and stability work. Movement retraining is emphasized to help normalize walking, lifting, reaching, and other daily activities without overloading vulnerable tissues.
Education is a key part of the process. Patients are guided through what to expect at each phase of recovery, which activities are appropriate, and how to modify daily tasks to avoid setbacks. Understanding why certain movements are restricted early on and when it is safe to progress; helps reduce fear, improve confidence, and support more consistent recovery. Rehabilitation plans are adjusted regularly based on how the body responds, not just on timelines alone.
Seeking support early can make a meaningful difference. Pre-surgical rehabilitation can help improve strength, mobility, and confidence going into surgery, often leading to smoother recovery afterward. Post-surgical care is valuable once medically cleared, especially if pain persists, movement feels restricted, or progress feels slower than expected. Our approach emphasizes safety, gradual progression, and collaboration with your surgical and healthcare team when appropriate, ensuring care is aligned with your procedure and long-term goals.
Treatments Commonly Used for Pre and Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
Recovery after surgery requires the right support at the right time. Treatments are selected based on your procedure, stage of healing, and individual movement needs to help restore function and confidence safely. Depending on your recovery stage and clinical presentation, care at ONE80 Health may include: