News

Following the success of the NHS Western Isles Arthroplasty Pre-admission Clinic, which was introduced in 2022, the team has collaborated with Ionad Spòrs Leòdhais to introduce a new ‘Prehab’ Clinic at the Sports Centre in Stornoway.

The Prehab Class is a group movement session for those about to undergo a hip or knee joint replacement. Classes will be held in the Dance Studio at Sports Centre in Stornoway every Thursday afternoon.

A member of the team who will be involved in the hospital care will talk patients through the journey they are likely to experience with joint replacement surgery and demonstrate exercises to do before the operation.

The classes will involve input from the Arthroplasty team, Physiotherapy and Dietetics, who will share helpful tips with patients to ensure they have the best start to their joint replacement journey.  

The classes will also give patients the opportunity to meet other people who will be going through the same operation.

Nicola Libby, Arthroplasty Practitioner, NHS Western Isles, said “Exercise is a powerful way of managing pain and improving mobility. Being physically fit and strong before a hip or knee replacement surgery is really important in supporting the recovery process for patients. The stronger and fitter a patient is before the operation, the quicker their recovery will be.”

Iain ‘GG’ Campbell, Sports Development Services Manager, Lewis Sports Centre, said: “We are very supportive of this programme, and it adds to the other services offered between NHS Western Isles and Sport & Health staff in delivering GP Referral, Move More, Counter Core and Cardiac Rehab.

“Prehab has been used in these programmes and proven to be extremely beneficial in preparing patients for surgery and the subsequent rehabilitation. The introduction of the Orthopaedic Prehab Clinic further enhances Sport & Health’s ongoing partnership with NHS Western Isles.”