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Cowboy Healthcare  /  Services  /  Pre-Op Readiness

Pre-Operative
Readiness

The stronger and more conditioned you are going into surgery, the faster and safer your recovery will be on the other side. We build your body up before the procedure — so it can bounce back after.

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Knee & Hip ReplacementSpinal SurgeryCardiac SurgeryBariatric SurgeryAny Elective Procedure
29%

shorter hospital stays for patients who completed pre-op PT vs. those who did not

73%

of pre-hab patients avoided inpatient rehabilitation after total joint surgery

40%

reduction in post-operative pain reported in patients with strong pre-op conditioning

Why Prehabilitation Works

The body you bring
into surgery matters

Research consistently shows that patients who arrive at surgery stronger, more flexible, and better conditioned recover faster and experience fewer complications. This concept — prehabilitation, or "pre-hab" — is now standard of care at leading surgical centers across the country.

Think of it like building a reserve. Surgery and anaesthesia are significant stressors. The muscle mass, cardiovascular fitness, and functional strength you build before the procedure become your reserve to draw from during recovery.

We work with your surgeon to understand your specific procedure, timeline, and restrictions — then design a targeted 4–8 week program that maximises your surgical readiness without aggravating your condition.

Already had surgery? See our Post-Op Rehab program →
Pre-operative physical therapy
What We Build

Six pillars of
surgical readiness

💪

Strength

Targeted strengthening of the muscles surrounding your surgical site. A stronger quad before a knee replacement means faster return to walking and less post-op pain.

🫁

Cardiovascular Fitness

Aerobic conditioning appropriate to your condition and surgical restriction. Better cardio means faster anaesthesia clearance and lower complication risk.

🔄

Range of Motion

Maximising joint mobility before surgery means the reconstructed joint has better mechanics to work with from day one of recovery.

⚖️

Balance & Proprioception

Neuromuscular training to reduce fall risk during the early post-surgical period when strength and coordination are temporarily reduced.

🧠

Movement Education

We teach you exactly what to expect after surgery — what movements are safe, what to avoid, how to use assistive devices, and how to set up your home for a safe recovery.

😤

Breathing & Respiratory

Respiratory muscle training and breathing technique education to reduce the risk of post-surgical pulmonary complications — especially important for abdominal and cardiac procedures.

Insurance

We accept your plan

Pre-operative PT is covered by Medicare and most commercial plans when medically indicated. Ask your surgeon to include a PT referral at your pre-op appointment. We accept BCBS, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Humana, GEHA, and more.

Verify your coverage →
Patient Reviews

What our patients
are saying

★★★★★

"I was told to start PT before my knee replacement and almost skipped it — seemed pointless when I was already in pain. But I'm so glad I didn't. My surgeon said my quad strength going in was exceptional and my first-week recovery was noticeably smoother."

Carol H. Pre-Op Knee Prep · December 2025
★★★★★

"Six weeks of shoulder surgery prep. My DPT focused on scapular stability and rotator cuff activation, which I'd never done before. Recovery after the procedure was ahead of schedule — I'm convinced the prehab made the difference."

Ryan S. Pre-Op Shoulder Prep · February 2026
★★★★★

"Hip dysplasia with total hip replacement planned. Started PT eight weeks out. The functional training — transfers, gait with a walker, getting up from a chair — meant I basically knew what to do the morning I got home from hospital."

Susan F. Pre-Op Hip Prep · March 2026

Surgery is coming.
Get ready for it.

Even 4 weeks of pre-op PT makes a measurable difference. Same-day appointments available — don't wait until after the procedure.

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