If you’re scheduled for an orthopedic surgery (such as a total joint replacement or an ACL repair), you probably already know you’ll need to undergo rehabilitation afterward with a physical therapist. But have you considered working with a PT before your surgery, too?
Pre-rehabilitation, sometimes called “prehab,” is a little less common than rehab, but it’s still an important part of the surgical process. Together, a structured pre- and post-surgical physical therapy program can help you maximize the benefits of your surgery.
We offer pre- and post-rehab here at Teton Therapy, and today, we want to explore both programs in detail. And if you’d like more personalized guidance, just contact our clinic to speak to our friendly staff!
What You Need to Know About Pre-Op Physical Therapy
Surgery can be incredibly tough on the human body. It’s a highly invasive procedure that brings with it a host of potential complications, including blood clots, post-surgical pain, and difficulty returning to everyday tasks.
Standard rehabilitation works to minimize these risks after the fact. However, prehab takes a proactive approach. Through physical therapy, you can improve strength, mobility, and fitness before your procedure. At the same time, occupational therapy helps strengthen the upper extremities, improve joint function, and prepare you for daily tasks—such as dressing, bathing, reaching, and using adaptive equipment—so you can maintain independence and reduce stress during your recovery.
Think of it this way: No athlete goes into a big game unprepared. They spend time training to ensure their strength, endurance, and performance are the best they can be. Prehab works the same way; you’re preparing your body and your daily routines for the “big game” of surgery.
What Are Some Benefits of Prehab?
- Improves strength and mobility, making surgery and recovery easier
- Reduces pain and swelling before surgery
- Helps you maintain or improve the ability to perform daily activities
- May help shorten hospital stays and overall recovery times
- Decreases the risk of complications
- Helps you understand what to expect after surgery, reducing anxiety
What Can I Expect During Prehab?
- An initial evaluation in which one of our physical or occupational therapists assesses your strength, range of motion, mobility, balance, pain level, and any challenges with daily activities
- Various pain management techniques, including manual therapy, ice/heat, or electrical stimulation, are used to help reduce discomfort
- A therapeutic exercise program designed by our physical or occupational therapists, featuring targeted movements that strengthen weak or stiff areas, improve circulation, and support surrounding joints to help promote better surgical outcomes
- Personalized endurance training consisting of low-impact cardiovascular activities to increase overall stamina
- Functional training with an occupational therapist to improve daily tasks like dressing, reaching, bathing, and using adaptive equipment
- A detailed overview of what to expect after surgery, covering mobility aids, rehab exercises, surgical area protection, and safely returning to daily activities to set you up for success
What You Need to Know About Post-Op Rehabilitation
Most orthopedic surgeries aim to correct whatever dysfunction is causing pain (for example, replacing an arthritic joint with a prosthesis). The results can be life-changing, but they don’t occur overnight. It takes time to restore your body to its optimal strength, mobility, and function.
That’s what post-surgical rehabilitation focuses on. A structured physical therapy program helps you recover from the surgery itself and work to get back to the activities that matter most to you.
What Are Some Benefits of Rehab?
- Reduces pain and inflammation
- Improves range of motion and overall mobility
- Strengthens muscles and improves overall function
- Helps you regain independence and return to your daily activities
- Lowers the risk of long-term complications, such as chronic pain
What Can I Expect During Rehab?
- Techniques to help manage acute pain and swelling, such as ice, compression, manual therapy, and assisted stretches
- Guided mobility work to help restore movement in the affected joint or area without stressing healing tissues
- Scar tissue management using hands-on therapy or tools to reduce the risk of long-term pain or stiffness
- Targeted, progressive strengthening exercises to rebuild muscle at an appropriate pace
- Balance or gait training to help restore stability in surgeries that affect your movement patterns
- Functional training that helps you relearn everyday movements like standing, walking, or climbing stairs
Going Into Surgery? Teton Therapy Is Here to Help!
If you have surgery scheduled, now’s the time to contact our clinic and learn more about how our pre- and post-op rehabilitation programs can help you make the most of your procedure.
Remember, your recovery starts before you ever head into the operating room. Schedule an appointment with us today to get started.
Your Success Is Our Priority!
Ready to keep moving forward? Return to Teton Therapy and schedule your appointment now!
Patient Testimonial
“My therapist at the Cheyenne clinic basically saved my life. I told them my eye doctor thought my blood pressure was a little high the day before, so rather than starting into my normal routine, they checked my BP. Found it to be extremely high, so they proceeded to have me rest, drink water, and called my husband.
Long story short, before the day was out, I was on a helicopter being flown to Denver with a brain bleed. Thank you, Teton Therapy, you helped to save my life!”
-S.Z.
SHARE YOUR SUCCESS STORY TODAY!
Teton Therapy’s 2025 Holiday Jackpot Scratch & Win Game is Here!
This December, your therapy visits could bring more than just progress – they could bring prizes! Stay on track with your prescribed visits during Teton Therapy’s Holiday Jackpot Scratch & Win Game and you could win weekly rewards like Teton Therapy swag or gift cards to your favorite local businesses.
Patients who make all of their scheduled visits throughout the contest will even have a shot at the $500 grand prize! Want to learn how to get in on the fun? Visit TetonTherapypc.com or stop by your local Teton Therapy clinic for details.
RIVERTON OPEN HOUSE PHOTOS
We had a fantastic time at our Riverton location during our recent Open House! It was wonderful connecting with the community, sharing our services, and giving everyone a closer look at how we help patients move better and feel their best. Check out some highlights from the event in the photos below!
Adventures in the West!
Dr. Luke Bennett, PT, DPT, Teton Therapy’s Director of Quality was featured in Adventures in the West magazine. Copies of this issue are available in our Lander and Riverton clinics.
Follow Us on Social Media!
This is my grandmother’s recipe for a dish my family enjoys every Christmas morning. My parents prepare one (or two) of these casseroles on Christmas Eve night, then pop them in the oven just before my siblings and I open presents on Christmas morning. By the time the wrapping paper and bows are cleared away, this tasty treat is ready for a hearty Christmas breakfast!
Teton Therapy’s Monthly Breakfast Delight
By: Lander Therapy Technician Grace Adelmann
Grandma Eleanore’s Sausage Souffle
Serves 6-8
- 6 eggs
- 6 slices of bread, cubed
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 lb. sausage, cooked & crumbled
- 2 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
Place crumbled sausage and bread cubes in a greased 9″ x 13″ casserole dish. Layer cheese on top. Beat eggs, mix in milk, salt, and mustard.
Cover dish with aluminum foil and refrigerate for 12 hours.
Bake covered at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes. Take aluminum foil off and bake an additional 10 minutes.
Get a Head Start on New Year’s Resolutions
Who said you had to wait until January to make healthy changes? While December is a busy time of year, it also offers that glorious week between Christmas and New Year’s Day when work is slow (if not non-existent). Why not use that time to consider how you might incorporate new health routines in the new year?
You could…
- Incorporate a few minutes of jogging on your walks.
- Try out a fitness class you usually can’t take because of work.
- Perfect a few new healthy recipes.
- Experiment with meditation.
The post-holiday slump is also a great time to schedule an appointment with the team at Teton Therapy. We can help you resolve any lingering pain or help you plan out a new exercise program–just in time for the new year.
Exercise of the Month
SHOULDER INTERNAL ROTATION STRETCH
Start by standing up straight holding a towel behind your back with one end over your shoulder and the other by your lower back. Grab the bottom end of the towel with your hand on the side you want to stretch and gently pull up on the towel with your other hand. Hold for 30 seconds.
2 Sets, 1 Rep. (Materials needed: towel)
Use Your Benefits Before They Reset
If you’ve already met your health insurance deductible, now is the perfect time for Physical or Occupational Therapy at Teton Therapy—many patients pay little or nothing out of pocket through year’s end.
Don’t let your 2025 benefits go to waste. Schedule now to address pain, mobility issues, or post-surgical rehab before deductibles reset on January 1.
Appointments fill quickly! Call your nearest Teton Therapy clinic or visit tetontherapypc.com today.
December Word Scramble
vegnreree
wannsmo
rewtah
ircfapeel
eslhgi
ilodyha
Answer Key
evergreen
snowman
wreath
fireplace
sleigh
holiday
