Business
COVER STORY / PREHABILITATION
specific advice to these other health care
practitioners or to the patient directly,
chiropractors can play a greater role.
The data outlined in this article with
respect to the benefits of prehabilitation
regimens suggest one area where
chiropractors can play a greater role in the
care of their existing patients who seek
surgical joint replacement. Chiropractors
can, in consultation with the surgeon on
the case, provide instruction on dietary
and exercise guidelines that can measurably
improve patient satisfaction and other
factors throughout the surgical experience.
Most prehabilitation regimens for total
joint arthroplasty call for a combination
of aerobic and strengthening exercises.
Chiropractors might consider encouraging
a combination of the strengthening
exercises outlined on page 12 to be
completed twice daily for several weeks
prior to surgery in conjunction with mild
aerobic exercise. It is very important to
ensure that patients are not receiving
competing advice from their surgeon
and their chiropractor. Sharing clinical
notes and reaching out to the surgeon
directly can help establish a productive
relationship and enhance the patient’s
experience. Patients should be advised to
stop any exercise that causes increased joint
discomfort and seek your advice.
Conclusion:
hiropractors have a great deal of
expertise to offer patients who
undergo surgery to correct severe
MSK conditions. Prehabilitation regimens
represent one opportunity to enhance
patient outcomes and business success
while demonstrating the greater role that
chiropractors can and should be playing
in the health of Ontarians across the
province. ON
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Recommended Reading
Desmeules, F. et al. “Prehabilition Improves Physical Function of Individuals with Severe Disability from
Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis,” Physiotherapy Canada 65:2 (2013): 116-124. Online.
s
McKay, C. et al. “The Effect of Prehabilitation Exercise Program on Quadriceps Strength for Patients Undergoing
total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study,” Journal of the American Academy of Phy