Pre & Post-Operative Rehabilitation

What is Pre and Post-Operative Rehabilitation?

Pre and post-operative rehabilitation involves specialised physiotherapy treatment before and after surgical procedures to optimise outcomes and accelerate recovery. Pre-operative rehabilitation (prehabilitation) prepares your body for surgery by improving strength, mobility, and function, whilst post-operative rehabilitation focuses on restoring normal movement, strength, and activity levels following surgery.

This comprehensive approach has been shown to reduce complications, shorten hospital stays, improve surgical outcomes, and accelerate return to normal activities and sport. The specific programme depends on the type of surgery, your baseline fitness, and individual goals.

What Causes the Need for Pre and Post-Operative Rehabilitation?

The need for surgical rehabilitation arises from various conditions and circumstances:

Common surgical procedures requiring rehabilitation:

  • ACL reconstruction following ligament rupture

  • Meniscus repair or removal after tears

  • Rotator cuff repair for shoulder tendon tears

  • Hip or knee joint replacement for arthritis

  • Fracture fixation following bone breaks

  • Spinal surgery for disc or structural problems

Pre-operative factors:

  • Muscle weakness and atrophy from injury or inactivity

  • Reduced range of motion from pain or swelling

  • Poor movement patterns developed as compensation

  • Deconditioning from prolonged activity restriction

  • Anxiety and fear about the surgical procedure

Post-operative factors:

  • Surgical trauma and tissue healing requirements

  • Immobilisation effects on muscles and joints

  • Pain and swelling limiting normal movement

  • Scar tissue formation affecting mobility

  • Need to restore normal movement patterns and strength

Individual considerations:

  • Age and baseline fitness level

  • Type and complexity of surgical procedure

  • Previous injuries or surgical history

  • Occupation and activity demands

  • Sport-specific requirements for athletes

What Are the Goals and Benefits?

Pre and post-operative rehabilitation aims to achieve specific outcomes:

Pre-operative (Prehabilitation) goals:

  • Optimise muscle strength and joint mobility before surgery

  • Improve cardiovascular fitness to aid post-operative recovery

  • Educate about post-operative expectations and exercises

  • Reduce anxiety and improve confidence about the procedure

  • Establish baseline measurements for post-operative comparison

Post-operative rehabilitation goals:

  • Protect healing tissues whilst promoting optimal recovery

  • Restore normal joint range of motion and flexibility

  • Rebuild muscle strength and endurance progressively

  • Re-establish normal movement patterns and coordination

  • Return to daily activities, work, and sport safely

Phase-specific objectives:

Early post-operative phase:

  • Control pain and swelling

  • Protect surgical repair whilst allowing safe movement

  • Prevent complications like blood clots or stiffness

  • Begin gentle range of motion and basic strengthening

Intermediate phase:

  • Progress range of motion to normal levels

  • Advance strengthening exercises systematically

  • Improve functional movement patterns

  • Begin sport-specific activities if appropriate

Advanced phase:

  • Achieve full strength and power restoration

  • Complete sport-specific rehabilitation

  • Pass return-to-sport testing criteria

  • Prevent future injury through movement optimisation

Functional benefits:

  • Faster return to normal activities and work

  • Reduced risk of post-operative complications

  • Improved long-term outcomes and satisfaction

  • Lower risk of re-injury or future problems

  • Enhanced confidence in the repaired structure

Preparing for surgery or recovering from a procedure? Our specialist team has extensive experience with pre and post-operative rehabilitation across all types of surgery, from ACL reconstructions in professional rugby players to complex procedures in UFC fighters and Olympic athletes. We provide comprehensive assessment using advanced testing including our Jump Lab and VALD Dynamo equipment, evidence-based rehabilitation programmes tailored to your specific surgery and goals, and expert guidance through every phase of your recovery to ensure optimal outcomes and safe return to full activity.