Pre-Operative Rehabilitation in London
Pre-Operative Rehabilitation
Surgery is a big moment, but the work you do beforehand can make a real difference in how smooth and steady your recovery feels. By building your strength, improving your mobility, and boosting your confidence ahead of time, you’re giving your body the best chance to heal well.
What Is Pre-Operative Rehabilitation?
Pre-operative rehabilitation (often called “prehab”) is a customised physiotherapy programme that is designed to help you get ready for surgery, both physically and mentally. It focuses on building your strength, improving your flexibility, and boosting your mobility and stamina before the operation takes place.
Think of it as laying the groundwork for recovery. When your muscles are stronger, your joints are moving better, and your overall fitness level is in a better place. Your body is better equipped to handle surgery and bounce back afterwards.
Research shows that people who take part in prehabilitation are more resilient patients and tolerate surgical stress at a higher level, meaning they are more likely to have fewer complications and a faster return to their daily life. But the benefits aren’t just physical; prehabilitation can also ease anxiety, give you more confidence, and help you feel more in control during what can otherwise feel like an overwhelming process.
With Physit, this preparation happens right in your home. We work with you to understand your needs, tailor your plan to your upcoming procedure, and support you every step of the way, so when surgery day comes, you feel ready.
Common Goals of Prehabilitation
The focus of prehabilitation is all about preparing your body in ways that make surgery and recovery feel a little less daunting and a lot more manageable. Here’s what we typically focus on:
- Building muscle strength around the area being operated on
- Improving joint mobility and flexibility
- Boosting circulation and lung function
- Increasing stamina and balance
- Reducing pain or stiffness before surgery
- Preparing mentally and physically for post-op recovery
- Learn safe movement strategies for after surgery
Even a few sessions can make a noticeable difference in helping you build up your strength, improve your level of comfort, and feel more in control before surgery day arrives. It’s a small investment of time that can lead to a faster, easier recovery with fewer setbacks. By preparing your body now, you’re giving yourself the best possible start for what comes next.
Who Can Benefit from Prehabilitation?
Pre-operative physiotherapy isn’t only for athletes or complex surgeries. It’s highly beneficial for anyone who wants to feel more prepared and have a smoother recovery. No matter the procedure, giving your body a head start can make the journey ahead feel more manageable and less intimidating.
Here are a few examples of who can benefit from a prehabilitation programme.
- Joint replacements (hip, knee, shoulder): Strengthening the muscles around the joint can make walking, standing, and daily movement easier after surgery.
- Spinal surgery: Prehabilitation helps improve posture, core strength, and mobility, so your recovery starts from a more stable foundation.
- Abdominal or pelvic surgeries: Gentle movement and breathing exercises can promote circulation, reduce stiffness, and prepare you for safe post-op mobility.
- Cardiac or respiratory procedures: Specialised breathing exercises and light conditioning can improve your stamina and lung function ahead of surgery.
- Seniors aiming for safer, supported recovery: Prehabilitation can help reduce the risk of falls, improve balance, and provide a boost of confidence during and after the surgical process.
- Anyone looking to improve post-op outcomes and confidence: Whether you’re feeling nervous or just want to give yourself the best shot at a smooth recovery, prehabilitation provides a great deal of reassurance and a future plan for a successful rehabilitation.
How Physit Can Help
With Physit, you receive one-to-one prehabilitation sessions at home, so that you can focus on recovery in a comfortable, familiar setting, without the stress of travel or clinic visits. Our approach is personalised to your unique needs, your upcoming procedure, your space, since it’s where you’ll be recovering, and your goals for recovery. We take the time to help you feel ready, not rushed, every step of the way.
Your treatment may include:
- Personalised strengthening exercises: We create a simple, achievable plan to build muscle strength that will support your recovery, especially around the area being operated on. Stronger muscles can help reduce the strain on healing tissues and make post-op movement feel more manageable.
- Mobility and flexibility training: Gentle stretches and guided movements help maintain or improve joint flexibility before surgery. This gives you a better chance of returning to normal movement patterns afterward, with less stiffness and discomfort.
- Balance and gait work: If your surgery affects the lower body or spine, we focus on steady walking, safe stepping, and strategies to help you feel confident on your feet. Improving balance before surgery can also reduce your risk of falls during the early recovery period.
- Breathing and circulation support: Simple breathing exercises and circulation-boosting movements help reduce the risk of post-op complications like chest infections or blood clots. They also help with better oxygen flow and energy levels, which are important during recovery.
- Pain or swelling management strategies: We’ll teach you how to manage your pain or swelling before and after surgery using positioning, gentle movement, and calming techniques. These tools can make you feel more comfortable now and better prepared for recovery later.
- Education on post-operative care and movement: Knowing what to expect makes a big difference. We’ll show you how to move safely after your operation, whether it’s getting out of bed, using crutches, or climbing stairs, so nothing feels unfamiliar when you get home.
- Progress tracking and pre-surgery readiness assessments: We check in regularly to make sure your body is responding well and your confidence is growing. You’ll know exactly how far you’ve come and feel reassured that you’re ready for the next step in your recovery journey.
With Physit, prehabilitation is personal, practical, and right where you need it. We focus on helping you feel stronger, more confident, and fully prepared for surgery with care that’s customised to your body, your routine, and your recovery goals. It’s expert support you can count on, before and after the operation.
Conditions We Treat
Our London home and work visit physiotherapists are highly experienced in assessing and treating a wide range of conditions, including but not limited to:
0204 570 2391- Post-surgical rehabilitation (knee, hip, shoulder, and spinal surgeries, as well as general surgical recovery)
- Age-related mobility issues, including falls prevention and balance training
- Chronic pain management (back pain, arthritis, and joint stiffness)
- Neurological conditions impacting mobility and coordination
- Post-hospital deconditioning and general rehabilitation to restore strength, balance, and independence
- All musculoskeletal realted injuries or pain
Frequently Asked Questions About Pre-Operative Rehabilitation
1. Can prehabilitation really help with recovery?
Yes! It can make a very meaningful difference. Research shows that prehabilitation can reduce your recovery time, improve your mobility, and lead to better long-term outcomes, especially for joint replacements, spinal procedures, and other major surgeries.
2. Is it too late to start if my surgery is soon?
Not at all. Even a few customised sessions can help build your strength, improve your balance, and boost your confidence heading into surgery, giving your body a head start on recovery.
3. What if I’m in pain now - can I still do prehab?
Yes. We’ll always work within your comfort level, using gentle movement, hands-on techniques, and supportive strategies that ease discomfort without putting strain on your body.
4. Do I need a referral to start?
No referral is needed. You can book directly with Physit, and we’ll create a personalised plan that’s safe, effective, and focused on helping you feel ready, both physically and mentally, for what’s ahead.
A Smoother Recovery Starts Before Surgery
The time before your surgery is more important than most people realise. It’s a chance to build up your strength, improve your mobility, and walk into your procedure feeling more confident and better prepared. With Physit, we bring expert pre-operative physiotherapy to your home, so you can focus on healing before your recovery even begins.
