Miami Physical Therapist – Physical Therapy Services
Prehabilitation, or “prehab,” is a physical therapy program completed in the weeks before ACL reconstruction surgery.
Clinics commonly recommend prehab for patients who have torn their ACL and are preparing for surgery, since entering the operating room with a stronger, more mobile knee is closely linked to a smoother and faster recovery afterward. For all of our services, click here.
A knee that is swollen, stiff, or significantly weakened before surgery tends to recover more slowly afterward, since surgeons and therapists are then working to both repair the ligament and reverse the deconditioning that occurred beforehand.
Reducing swelling, restoring full range of motion, and rebuilding quadriceps strength ahead of time gives patients a considerable head start on their post-surgical rehabilitation.
Prehab typically includes manual therapy and soft tissue work to reduce swelling and restore motion, along with a progressive strengthening program targeting the quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip muscles.
Therapists also work on gait normalization and balance, since many patients have been favoring the injured knee since the original injury.
Patients who complete a prehab program often move through the early stages of post-surgical rehabilitation more quickly, since they begin with better strength and range of motion than they would have otherwise.
Following surgery, the same therapy team typically continues care with a structured, phase-based recovery program to guide the patient safely back to full activity.
Sessions are one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist, not an aide or technician. Your therapist will explain what is happening in your knee in plain language, set realistic recovery goals, and give you a home program that keeps progress happening between visits. Whether your symptoms started yesterday or have been bothering you for years, a structured PT program can make a meaningful difference.
Many patients can begin treatment without a physician referral, depending on their insurance plan and condition. We can help verify your eligibility before your first visit.
We accept most major insurance plans and can help you understand your coverage, benefits, and any expected out-of-pocket costs before starting care.