How Prehab Can Improve Your Total Knee Replacement Outcome in Hermitage

Why preparing your body and environment before surgery can dramatically improve your recovery

If you’re preparing for a total knee replacement in Hermitage, there’s a good chance you’ve been living with knee pain for months—maybe even years. You’ve pushed through daily discomfort, adjusted your lifestyle, and done your best to stay active. Now that surgery is on the horizon, you may be feeling a mix of relief, anxiety, and a lot of questions.

At Roscoe Physiotherapy, we understand that this can feel like a big leap. But here’s something many people don’t realize: what you do before your surgery—known as prehab—can have a major impact on how smoothly and successfully you recover afterward.

Whether you’re weeks away from your procedure or still weighing your options, here’s what you need to know about why pre-surgical physical therapy matters—and how it can make all the difference.

Get Ahead of Recovery: Why Preparation is Key

A total knee replacement is a big event—but with the right preparation, your outcome can be smoother, faster, and more successful. Prehab is more than just a few exercises; it’s a comprehensive strategy to get your body stronger, your home safer, and your expectations clearer so you can navigate recovery with greater ease.

Let’s break it down:

Physical Preparedness: Train Before the Game

Think of surgery like the biggest athletic event of your life—and prehab as your training camp. The stronger, more mobile, and better conditioned you are going in, the more confident and successful your recovery is likely to be. At Roscoe Physiotherapy, we focus on preparing your muscles and joints to handle the demands of surgery and bounce back faster.

Here’s how we do that:

• Improve muscle firing: Prehab helps retrain key muscles around the knee—especially the quadriceps—so they stay active and are quicker to “wake up” after surgery.

• Enhance joint strength and flexibility: When surrounding muscles are both strong and flexible, your knee is more stable and better able to handle post-surgical challenges.

• Boost range of motion (ROM): Entering surgery with better ROM makes it easier to regain full mobility during rehab.

The takeaway? Prehab puts your body in the best possible position to heal, reducing the risk of complications and speeding up your return to movement.

Functional Preparedness: Plan for Life After Surgery

Recovery isn’t just about healing—it’s about regaining independence in your daily life. From using a walker to climbing stairs or getting dressed, your physical therapist will walk you through all the things you might not think to prepare for:

• Assistive device recommendations: Whether you’ll need a walker, cane, or another aid, we’ll guide you in selecting the right device and make sure you know how to use it safely.

• Gait training: We’ll train you in safe, energy-efficient walking mechanics to reduce strain on your healing joint—and lower your fall risk.

• Everyday life planning: From toileting to dressing to getting in and out of a car, we’ll help you plan ahead so these tasks are less overwhelming post-op.

Environmental Prep: Set Up for Success at Home

After surgery, the last thing you want is to trip over a rug or struggle to reach the essentials. Preparing your home ahead of time helps you move safely and comfortably in those first critical weeks after surgery.

We’ll walk you through:

• Removing fall hazards: Rugs, loose cords, low lighting, and clutter can all become dangerous. We’ll help you make your space as safe as possible.

• Creating functional spaces: Set up recovery-friendly zones with seating, supportive footwear, grab bars, and reachable essentials to make your day-to-day easier.

• Identifying potential barriers: Do you have stairs, pets, or narrow walkways? Let’s address these proactively and create a plan that supports your mobility.

The goal is to come home to a space that supports healing—not one that slows it down.

Ask the Questions You Didn’t Know to Ask

One of the biggest benefits of prehab is time with a trained professional—someone who knows the surgery inside and out.

During your prehab sessions, you’ll be able to:

• Ask specific questions about your surgery or timeline.

• Understand what your first days post-op will look like.

• Get clarity on your rehab timeline and milestones.

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Trust Hermitage’s Total Knee Replacement Experts

At Roscoe Physiotherapy, we’ve helped countless Hermitage residents get stronger before surgery and recover better afterward. We know the importance of tailoring every program to your body, your home, and your goals.

If you’re scheduled for a total knee replacement in Hermitage, don’t wait until after surgery to take action. Prehab can be the missing piece that makes your recovery smoother and more successful.

Schedule Your Pre-Surgical Assessment at Roscoe Physiotherapy

Start your recovery before surgery even begins.

Click here to schedule your personalized prehab evaluation.