prehab
Prehab, short for prehabilitation, is a proactive approach to improving a patient’s health before a planned medical procedure or acute illness. The aim is to enhance physical and psychological readiness to reduce postoperative complications, accelerate recovery, and preserve function. Prehab may include exercise, nutrition optimization, medical optimization, and psychosocial support.
Core components typically include physical conditioning, such as aerobic and resistance training to improve cardiovascular fitness
Programs are typically scheduled weeks before planned surgery to allow meaningful gains in fitness and nutrition.
Implementation considerations include tailoring to individual risk, monitoring progress, and ensuring adherence. Barriers include time constraints,
Relationship to related concepts include enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols, which emphasize perioperative care to