If you are preparing for a total hip or knee replacement, physical therapy may be helpful even before surgery takes place. This type of care is often called preoperative physical therapy or prehab, and it can help patients better understand what to expect during recovery.
A study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found that as few as two physical therapy visits before total hip or knee replacement were associated with a 29% reduction in the use of postoperative care services. The reduced need for care after surgery also added up to more than $1,000 in health care savings per patient.
The researchers reviewed 4,733 total joint replacement cases. Among patients who did not receive physical therapy before surgery, nearly 80% required some type of post-acute care after surgery. This included care such as a stay in a skilled nursing facility, home health services, inpatient rehabilitation, or a combination of these services during the 90 days following surgery.
For patients who received even a small number of preoperative physical therapy sessions, that number dropped to 54%.
The study authors noted that one of the major benefits of preoperative physical therapy was preparation. Before surgery, patients were educated on what to expect after the procedure, how to use assistive walking devices, and how to follow a recovery plan. This preparation helped patients approach postoperative rehabilitation with greater confidence and clearer expectations.
Preoperative physical therapy may help patients:
If you are scheduled for a hip or knee replacement, consider physical therapy before your surgery. A few visits before the procedure may help reduce your need for postoperative care, lower overall costs, and support a smoother recovery.
Give us a call to learn how preoperative physical therapy can help you prepare for your joint replacement and return to daily life with greater confidence.
Source:
Snow R, Granata J, Ruhil A, et al. Associations between preoperative physical therapy and post-acute care utilization patterns and cost in total joint replacement. The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. Oct 01;96(19).
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