The Prehab Program

It’s not unusual to rehab a dog after surgery, but many of these dogs are overweight or obese which makes the rehab exercises that much more difficult for them. Often their excess weight has led to the orthopedic issue that has required the surgery in the first place. Most overweight individuals have lameness issues and joint pain – no matter what species they are.

In the human physical therapy world it is not unusual for the physician to have the patient begin rehab, or ‘prehab’ as they say, before the surgical repair. It allows strengthening and stabilizing of the targeted joint prior to surgery, so that when post-surgery rehab is begun, it begins on a higher level and the body has an easier time returning to strength.

If you have a non-emergency orthopedic repair scheduled, protect your investment with a few weeks of prehab. It will have your dog going into surgery stronger, more flexible, and ready to heal in the most efficient and strongest way possible, with less time needed in post-surgery rehab.