Pre-operative Physio

Not all advice is the same. It is tailored to you and your operation. The needs of someone having a knee replacement will be different from someone having abdominal surgery. If you are an active person, the focus may be on specific muscle groups, whereas if you are less active, the focus may be on general conditioning.

It’s normal to feel nervous before surgery. Pre-op physio gives you time to talk through things with your physio, easing those nerves and boosting your confidence. You’ll feel more prepared and in control of your journey.

Starting this relationship before your surgery makes it easier to ask for help during your recovery. Your physiotherapist will learn about your concerns and what your most important goals are after surgery. You can then start to plan that journey together, ensuring your care is tailored to you.

It’s much easier to learn exercises before surgery, when you’re in less pain and not feeling the effects of anaesthesia. Whether it’s breathing exercises to improve your lung function or leg exercises following a knee replacement, understanding how and why to do these helps minimise complications and leads to better outcomes.

Building strength in areas that have been neglected prior to surgery can make a significant difference in how fast you recover. For example, it’s very common for your glute (bottom) muscles to become weak with an arthritic hip. Working on their strength before surgery makes the hip more stable and resilient after your operation.

We all want to know what to expect immediately after surgery. What’s also really useful is knowing what the next 6-12 months might hold. “When can I drive?”, “When can I go on holiday?”, “When can I go back to running?” – these are all questions that can be answered with realistic timelines, prior to your surgery, helping you plan your life around your recovery and what is important to you.

Being prepared can never be underestimated. Sometimes you don’t know you might need something until you do… and then it’s too late. Your physiotherapist can give you ideas of mobility tools they have found helpful for other patients, such as a long-handled shoehorn or a portable car door handle, ensuring you are well-equipped for your recovery at home.