Pre and Post – Surgery
Why Pre- and Post-Surgery Physical Therapy Matters
Physical therapy before and after surgery can make a big difference in your recovery. Pre-surgery therapy, also called prehabilitation, prepares your body for the procedure, while post-surgery therapy focuses on restoring strength, mobility, and function. Together, these programs help you:
- Reduce post-surgery pain and swelling
- Regain motion and flexibility faster
- Shorten hospital stays and recovery time
- Improve balance and prevent falls
- Build confidence in returning to daily activities or sports
Pre-Surgery Physical Therapy: Prepare for a Faster Recovery
Starting therapy before your surgery can give you a head start on recovery. In some cases, pre-surgery physical therapy may even improve strength, mobility, and function enough that surgery can be delayed or avoided. Benefits include:
- Strengthening muscles and joints around the surgical site
- Improving balance and flexibility to reduce post-op complications
- Teaching safe movement strategies to protect your body after surgery
- Setting post-surgery goals and learning exercises to use immediately afterward
- Boosting confidence and mood so you feel prepared for surgery
Post-Surgery Physical Therapy: Regain Strength and Function
After surgery, physical therapy is essential to restore mobility, strength, and independence. What to expect:
- Gentle exercises to improve flexibility and reduce stiffness
- Manual therapy, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation to reduce swelling and promote healing
- Strengthening routines for muscles supporting the surgical area
- Balance, gait, and functional training to return safely to daily activities
- At-home exercises to maintain progress between sessions
Conditions That Benefit from Pre- and Post-Surgery PT
Physical therapy is commonly recommended for a variety of surgeries, including:
- Knee surgeries: ACL repair, meniscus repair, total knee replacement
- Hip surgeries: Hip replacement, labral repair
- Shoulder surgeries: Rotator cuff repair, labral repair, shoulder replacement
- Spinal surgeries: Fusion, decompression, laminectomy
- Ankle and foot surgeries: Fracture repair, tendon repair
Pre-Surgery Physical Therapy
- → If you improve your balance before surgery, you may have fewer falls.
- → Pre-surgery physical therapy reduces post-surgery pain.
- → Prehabilitation shortens hospital stays.
- → Physical therapy brightens your mood and outlook about surgery
- → A therapist will help you set post-op goals and teach you skills to use immediately after surgery
- → Pre-surgery physical therapy helps you build muscles and flexibility around the future surgery area
Locations Near You
Start Your Surgical Recovery Today
Don’t wait until after surgery to start your recovery. The Therapy Network’s experienced physical therapists can create a personalized plan for pre- and post-surgery care, helping you return to daily life safely and confidently.
Same-day appointments are available at Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake locations.
Call 757-496-3700 or schedule your appointment online to get started today.