If you have a knee replacement surgery coming up, most of the advice you have probably heard focuses on what happens after the operation. Physiotherapy after surgery is important, but there is another piece of the puzzle that gets far less attention: prehab.

Prehab, short for prehabilitation, is physiotherapy you do before surgery rather than after it. At our Kitsilano clinic, we work with patients preparing for knee replacement to build strength and mobility ahead of time, so their bodies are in the best possible position to recover once surgery is behind them.

What Is Prehab Therapy?

Prehab therapy is a structured program of exercises and treatment designed to prepare your body for an upcoming surgery. Instead of waiting until after your operation to start rebuilding strength, prehab gets you working on it in the weeks before.

The logic is simple. A stronger, more mobile joint going into surgery tends to bounce back faster afterward. Prehab therapy helps you go into surgery feeling more confident and prepared, which supports a smoother recovery once the operation is behind you.

Why Prehab Matters for Knee Replacement Specifically

Knee replacement surgery is a major procedure, and your knee will be swollen, stiff, and weak for a period of time afterward. That is normal. But the stronger your surrounding muscles are before surgery, the less ground you have to make up during recovery.

Knee prehab typically focuses on:

• Building strength in the quadriceps and hamstrings, since these muscles support and stabilize the knee joint
• Improving range of motion in the knee and hip
• Addressing any compensations or imbalances that have developed from months or years of favouring the joint
• Practicing the movement patterns you will need immediately after surgery, like getting in and out of a chair or walking with a walker

A physiotherapist who understands the total knee replacement process can build a prehab program that is specific to your surgery date, your current mobility, and your goals for recovery.

What a Knee Replacement Prehab Program Looks Like

Every prehab plan should be tailored to you, but a typical program for knee replacement prehab includes an initial assessment, several weeks of guided exercise, and education on what to expect after surgery.

At your first visit, your physiotherapist will assess your current strength, range of motion, and gait pattern. From there, they will put together a plan that usually runs anywhere from four to eight weeks before your surgery date, depending on how much time you have and where you are starting from.

Sessions often include targeted strengthening exercises, gentle stretching to maintain or improve mobility, and balance work to reduce your risk of falls both before and after surgery. Your physiotherapist may also walk you through the equipment you will use post-surgery, such as a walker or cane, so you feel more confident using it from day one.

When Should You Start Prehab for Knee Surgery?

The earlier you start, the better, but prehab can still make a meaningful difference even if your surgery date is only a few weeks away. As soon as you have a confirmed surgery date, it is worth booking an assessment to see what a prehab program could look like for you.

If you are still in the process of deciding whether knee replacement is the right option, prehab exercises can also help manage pain and maintain function in the meantime.

Prehab Isn’t Just for Knees

While knee replacement is one of the most common procedures we support with prehab, the same principle applies to other joint surgeries, including hip replacement, shoulder surgery, and ACL reconstruction. If you have an upcoming surgery for a different joint, ask us about a prehab plan tailored to your specific procedure.

Book Your Prehab Assessment in Kitsilano

If you have a knee replacement surgery on the calendar, do not wait until after the operation to start preparing. Our physiotherapists in Kitsilano can build a prehab program designed around your surgery date and your goals for recovery. Contact us today to book your assessment and take the first step toward a stronger recovery.