When we think about preparing for surgery, most of us focus on what happens after – recovery,
rehabilitation, and getting back to daily life. But did you know there are many things you can do
before surgery to help speed up your recovery, reduce complications, and improve your overall
outcome?
We call this prehabilitation or “prehab” for short.
What is Prehabilitation?
Prehabilitation is essentially a proactive conditioning phase before surgery. The idea is to start from
a better “baseline” so the body is stronger, more resilient, and better able to cope after surgery. It
usually involves:
Strengthening – overall or a particular area if, for example, in the case of a joint replacement
Mobility/flexibility work
Balance, aerobic fitness, or functional tasks
Sometimes nutritional guidance
Occasionally psychological or education components (e.g. pain management strategies,
expectation setting)
As Exercise Physiologists (AEPs), it is within our scope to assist with each of these parts of prehab.
We can also refer you to other allied health practitioners, such as psychologists or dieticians, if they
are not already part of your care team and we think you may benefit from their help.
The Benefits of Prehabilitation
- Maintain or Improve Your Physical Ability Before Surgery
It’s common for people waiting for surgery (particularly orthopaedic procedures like joint
replacements) to move less because of pain, stiffness, or fear of worsening symptoms.
Unfortunately, this can lead to muscle weakness, loss of endurance, and reduced mobility, making
recovery harder later. An AEP can work with you to develop a personalised prehabilitation exercise
program to help you maintain or even improve your physical condition leading up to surgery.
2. Minimise or Prevent Complications After Surgery
Surgery places stress on the body, so the more you can do to reduce the risk of complications such
as infections, blood clots, or delayed wound healing, the better.
Prehabilitation has been shown to reduce post-surgical complications by improving circulation,
respiratory function, and muscle strength. Even modest improvements in fitness before surgery can
make a real difference in how your body copes with anesthesia and the recovery process.
3. Decrease Time Spent in Hospital
Evidence suggests that patients who participate in prehabilitation often spend less time in hospital
after surgery. Being physically stronger and more mobile beforehand means you may be able to get
up, move, and perform daily tasks sooner after your procedure.
This not only speeds up discharge but can also reduce the risk of hospital-acquired complications like
pneumonia or muscle deconditioning from bed rest.
4. Achieve a Faster and Smoother Recovery
The ultimate goal of surgery is to restore your function and quality of life. Prehabilitation sets the
foundation for that.
Stronger muscles, more mobile joints and improved cardiovascular health means you’ll find it easier
to participate in your postoperative rehabilitation. In turn, this often leads to faster progress and
better long-term outcomes.
How Exercise Physiologists Can Help
An AEP can assess your current function and design a safe and effective, personalised
prehabilitation exercise plan that suits your condition, goals, and upcoming surgery.
AEPs can also help with other important parts of the prehabilitation period, such as:
Education on recovery expectations, pain management and pacing
General nutritional guidance
Breathing and mindfulness techniques
Assisting with lifestyle changes for maintaining health in both short and long term
Work alongside you from prehab to rehab and onwards
Even if you consider yourself a strong individual going into surgery, you could still benefit from
guidance from an AEP – the stronger you are beforehand, the better off you’ll be after, so it makes
sense to go in as well prepared as you can.
Okay, So When Should I Start Prehab?
Ideally – as soon as possible – even before surgery is scheduled! Physiological adaptations take time
and consistency, at least 4 to 6 weeks after a change. Your exercise program should start at a level
that suits your current capacity and slowly build from there. The idea is the sooner you start, the
more you will have progressed and therefore you’ll be in a better position heading into surgery than
if you had started later.
The Takeaway Message
Prehabilitation is about taking control of your recovery before surgery even begins. By improving
your strength, fitness, and confidence ahead of time, you’re giving your body the best possible
chance to heal well and return to the activities you love sooner.
Whether you’re preparing for a joint replacement, ligament repair, or another procedure, working
with an Accredited Exercise Physiologist can help you enter surgery stronger and recover faster.
Don’t wait until after your operation to start rebuilding – start now and set yourself up for a
smoother, safer recovery.
