Pre-Surgical Rehab vs. Post-Surgical Rehab: The Benefits of Both
If you have surgery coming up, it is natural to feel a little nervous. Thinking about the procedure itself, as well as the necessary amount of time you’ll spend recovering, can seem a bit intimidating. At Albanese Physical Therapy, we want to make sure that your surgery is as smooth as possible and that your recovery process is as quick and easy as possible.
This is most effectively achieved when combining pre-surgical rehabilitation and post-surgical rehabilitation treatments. For more information on how these services can benefit you, contact Albanese Physical Therapy today.
What’s the difference between pre-surgical rehab and post-surgical rehab?
You may be familiar with rehabilitation after surgery, or post-surgical rehab. It makes sense – your body loses a lot of strength when undergoing a surgical procedure, and rehabilitation treatments are needed in order to help you regain your function. Post-surgical rehabilitation tends to focus on targeted exercises and stretches that are aimed at helping relieve your pain, improve your strength, and redeem your optimum function in the affected area(s) of your body. It may also incorporate additional methods or modalities as needed, such as manual therapy, ice and heat therapies, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and more. Essentially, it helps you make a full recovery from your surgery.
Pre-surgical rehabilitation is a bit different. It focuses on stretches and exercises prior to surgery in order to prepare your body for the procedure ahead. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, participating in exercise therapies prior to surgery can exceptionally improve your post-operative outcomes and reduce your recovery time. It is no secret that surgery takes a toll on the body, so preparing yourself beforehand with strengthening stretches and exercises can greatly benefit your results. It can also help you prepare mentally, by giving you a better peace of mind going into surgery, knowing you did everything to make the procedure as easy on you as possible.
To put pre-surgical rehabilitation into perspective, there are 6 key benefits to participating in it:
- It decreases pain.
- It decreases the risk of complications.
- It increases your stamina.
- It improves your surgical outcomes.
- It decreases your recovery time.
- It may possibly even eliminate your need for surgery altogether!
Why do I need pre-surgical rehab AND post-surgical rehab?
Pre-surgical rehabilitation and post-surgical rehabilitation can be used to make any surgical procedure as easy as possible on your body. While pre-surgical rehabilitation is not always required in a treatment plan, it is always recommended as a way to yield the best results. The best results are always achieved through treatments before and after surgery.
For example, according to an article on shoulder replacement surgery published by the Hofmann Arthritis Institute, “Formal physical therapy is not required before surgery, but it is advised to get in the best physical shape possible before surgery to lessen the change for complication and shorten your recovery time.” The same article also states that “The day after surgery, you will begin working with physical therapy to become comfortable using your new shoulder.” This demonstrates how beneficial it is to complete both pre-surgical rehab, and post-surgical rehab, as both are meant to make your recovery process as easy and comfortable as possible.
Contact Albanese Physical Therapy Today!
At Albanese Physical Therapy, we are happy to say that we offer both pre-surgical rehabilitation and post-surgical rehabilitation services. We want to help make your surgery and recovery as safe, easy, quick, and comfortable as possible for you. If you have surgery coming up and you’d like to discuss setting up a “before and after” treatment plan, schedule a consultation with one of our licensed physical therapists today. We’d be happy to set up an appointment for you and get you started on the path toward pain relief, improved function, and a speedy recovery.
Staff Spotlight: Dana Tabay
Dana Tabay brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the Albanese Physical Therapy (APT) team. She originally joined APT in December 2020 as an Administrative Assistant and Physical Therapy Aide, where she quickly became an integral part of the team. Prior to her time with APT, Dana served as a Physical Therapy Aide at Optimal Physical Therapy, further developing her passion for patient care.
In addition to her work in physical therapy, Dana has a strong commitment to community service. In 2010, she founded WPA Swim America, an organization focused on teaching essential swimming skills. This initiative’s success led to the creation of the New Brighton Lion Aquatic Club, which later became the Beaver County Tidal Waves, a thriving community swim program.
After briefly leaving APT in October 2022 to serve as the Vice President of Aquatics at the Beaver County YMCA, Dana returned to APT in July 2024, ready to continue her mission of helping patients achieve their rehabilitation goals.
Dana is deeply involved in her community, volunteering with the Family Matters Foodbank, supporting local sports as a New Brighton Football Mom, and working with organizations such as the American Legion Riders Post 580 and Gold Star Families. She lives in New Brighton with her husband, Joseph, and their four children: Madeline, Nicholas, Jameson, and Christian.
Dana’s passion for helping others, both inside and outside of the clinic, is evident in everything she does, and she looks forward to working alongside Rich and Stephanie to support APT patients in their recovery journeys.
Feel Better by Eating Better!
Oatmeal Pancakes With Cinnamon Apples
1 1⁄2 cups buttermilk
3⁄4 cup instant rolled oats
3⁄4 cup whole wheat flour
2 Tbsp milk
1 Tbsp melted butter
1 1⁄2 tsp baking powder
1⁄2 tsp baking soda
Pinch of cinnamon (plus 1⁄8 tsp for the apples)
Pinch of nutmeg
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and chopped
1⁄2 cup apple juice
Butter or cooking spray
In a large bowl, mix the buttermilk, oats, flour, milk, butter, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Let it rest. In a small saucepan, simmer the apple, apple juice, and cinnamon until the apple softens and the liquid thickens. Preheat the oven to 200°F. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add butter or cooking spray before each round. Scoop 1⁄4-cup portions of batter, spreading into thin circles. Cook 2-3 minutes per side. Keep pancakes warm in the oven. Serve with warm apples.
