One of the most frequently asked questions that I receive from patients following joint replacement surgeries is “how much will I be able to move my limb after surgery”? One of the biggest factors in the amount of motion that a patient will acquire following joint replacement surgery is, how much motion did you have in the limb prior to surgery. Range of motion following joint replacement surgeries have their limitations because of the nature of the surgery and the qualities of the prosthesis that are used in the joint replacements, but Prehab will help patients improve their range of motion (ROM) before a surgery and will lead to better outcomes regarding ROM following the surgery. Getting maximal movement in a joint prior to surgery is essential to positive outcomes following joint replacement surgery. Prehabilitation with a physical therapist can help you attain as much motion as possible prior to your surgery leading to improved motion and improved functional mobility afterwards.

Prehabilitation is increasingly being covered by insurance plans, but there may be limits to the number of visits that will be covered by your insurance provider. Usually if a physician has written you a prescription for physical therapy prior to joint replacement surgery, your insurance will cover your visits, with the patient being responsible for deductibles and co-pays if required by your insurance plan. Some physicians may not always advise pre-surgical conditioning, so you may need to ask if this is something that may be beneficial for you prior to your individual surgery.