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At a glance

Conditions this may help: Preparing for joint replacement, ACL reconstruction, major abdominal surgery, chest surgery, or any planned operation where fitness and strength matter

Who it's for: People with a surgery date booked, particularly those with a few weeks or more to prepare, or anyone who wants to understand what recovery will look like

Location: Physio K, Bondi Junction

How to book: Book online or call once you have a surgery date; bring any letters or protocols from your surgeon

What happens in a prehabilitation program

Prehabilitation starts with a thorough assessment. We take your medical history, talk through what you do each day and what you want to get back to, then test your strength, how far your joints move, your balance and how you walk or transfer. This gives us a clear baseline to measure against after surgery.

From there we build an exercise plan tailored to the time you have and the operation you are having. For someone with several weeks before a knee replacement, that might mean strengthening the muscles around the knee and hip, improving your walking pattern, and working on getting up from a chair safely. For an ACL reconstruction, we focus on the muscles that support the knee and often include balance and control work. If you are having chest or abdominal surgery, we teach breathing exercises and practice getting in and out of bed in ways that protect the surgical area.

We assess how your whole body moves, not just the joint being operated on. A stiff hip, a weak core or a tight back can all change how the joint loads, so sometimes the answer is strengthening somewhere else, or releasing an area you wouldn't expect.

We also prepare you practically. You learn the early exercises while you're still comfortable, practise using crutches if needed, and set up your home so the first days after surgery are as smooth as possible. If your surgeon has given specific instructions or restrictions, we follow those and stay in touch with them.

What the research shows

A [2023 review published in JAMA Network Open](https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.8050) found that prehabilitation before orthopaedic surgery was associated with improvements in selected functional outcomes, although effects varied by procedure. The [NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation's 2025 guidance](https://aci.health.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/743360/ACI-Prehabilitation-key-principles-for-preparing-patients-for-surgery.pdf) recommends needs-based programs with validated physical, psychological and nutritional assessment, patient engagement and preoperative education.

Exercise-based programs can improve fitness, leg and breathing-muscle strength, mobility and confidence. People often walk further, tolerate activity better, perform transfers more safely and regain independence more readily after the operation. Other benefits may include better control of symptoms, reduced fear of movement, improved readiness for discharge and a clearer plan for returning to work, caring responsibilities, daily activities or sport.

"Education is essential for every condition, and team building with the patient is non-negotiable for me, so that together we can treat any problem," says Sebastian Oyarzo, physiotherapist. "I also explain that in some cases the body develops a fear of movement, so the work I do is to re-educate the mind to experience pain-free movement and improve quality of life."

Some people notice improved energy or confidence within two to four weeks, while measurable fitness and strength changes often require four to eight weeks. Even shorter programs can provide useful education, breathing practice and activity planning.

What to expect at your appointments

Book online or call once you have a surgery date. Let us know what surgery you are having, roughly when, and who your surgeon is. Bring any letters, scans or protocols you have been given.

Your first appointment is a proper assessment. We talk through your history, what you do day to day and what you want to get back to, then test your strength, range of motion, balance and movement so we have a clear baseline to work towards after surgery.

You leave with a plan built around how much time you have before surgery: a few focused exercises at home, with clinic sessions to progress them. We also cover what to expect afterwards, practise crutches if needed, set up your home and learn the early exercises while you're still comfortable. If needed, we keep in touch with your surgeon.

Once you're cleared to start after surgery, you come back for rehabilitation. We retest against your baseline, and progress follows objective markers like strength, range of motion and function. We follow any restrictions from your surgeon.

You're discharged when you have hit the goals we set together and feel confident to carry on by yourself.

Cost and funding

Medicare may cover part of the cost if you have a chronic condition and a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, which allows up to five allied health sessions per year with a rebate. A gap payment applies. Private health insurance extras cover may contribute, depending on your policy. For accepted work-related injuries, WorkCover may fund treatment. Confirm eligibility and current costs with your GP, insurer, plan manager or the clinic before starting.

Common questions

What actually happens at a prehabilitation appointment?

The first visit is about understanding where you are now: we talk through your history, test your movement, strength and balance, and set goals together. After that, appointments involve working through your tailored program, which might include exercises, hands-on treatment, breathing practice or education about what to expect after surgery. Everything is adapted to what you can manage.

How long before surgery should I start?

If you have a few weeks or more before your operation, that gives us time to work on strength, movement and confidence. Even shorter programs can provide useful education, breathing practice and activity planning. The assessment also gives us a clear baseline for strength, range of motion and function, so after surgery we're working towards real markers.

Can this clinic do everything, or will I need to see other practitioners as well?

We manage the functional assessment, exercise and rehabilitation education. If you have complex medical issues, nutritional concerns, psychological barriers or medication questions, we refer you to the appropriate practitioner, a dietitian, psychologist or your doctor. Prehabilitation works best when the whole team is involved, and we coordinate with your surgeon and GP throughout.

 

Have surgery coming up?

Book a prehabilitation assessment at Physio K in Bondi Junction. We’ll test your strength, movement and balance, build a plan around the time you have before your operation, and keep in touch with your surgeon.

 

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. If you have concerns about your health, please consult a qualified clinician or your GP.

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