PRE HAB

The latest research shows that Physiotherapist-delivered, exercise-based prehabilitation, or “pre-hab”, creates better outcomes for people who are considering surgery. In many cases, pre-hab will improve the level of function determining surgery is no longer required. This aligns with the latest cutting edge research on reducing unnecessary hospitalisation. This not only saves a long and painful recovery, but also a significant expense as well as the significant risks associated with surgery.  Recorded  preventable deaths in hospitals in the USA are the equivalent of 2 major plane crashes A DAY! (Gigerenzer G 2014)

Research Findings

• Pre-hab has been shown to safely improve preoperative function in people undergoing Total Hip Replacement (THA) or knee replacement (TKA). (Topp et al 2009). In many cases, surgery can be avoided as function levels improve & pain decreases.
• Patients who engaged in pre-hab prior to spinal surgery  had improved outcomes and shorter hospital stays. (Nielsen et al 2010).
• Preliminary studies report that rates of back surgery can be reduced through appropriate pre-hab red education and conservative treatment.  (Zhou and Irwin 2009).

Conservative Management

Conservative treatment with combination of medications, physiotherapy. specific exercise an lifestyle modification should be fully explored before surgery is considered.  Physiotherapists use Clinical Pilates treatment for pre hab, specific to each patient.