Preparing for Knee Surgery: How Prehab with MAI Motion Boosts Strength and Recovery

Introduction

Preparing for knee surgery can feel overwhelming, but there’s a proactive approach that’s making recovery smoother and more successful: prehabilitation, commonly known as “prehab.” Prehab involves targeted exercises and assessments before surgery to get your body as strong and mobile as possible. This not only leads to easier surgeries but also helps speed up recovery.

One of the latest innovations in this field is MAI Motion , a system that uses advanced markerless motion capture to measure your movements and strength—without any uncomfortable sensors or markers. MAI Motion collects detailed baseline data before your operation, allowing for a truly personalised prehab programme designed to strengthen your knee and surrounding muscles. In this article, we’ll explore how prehab with MAI Motion can set you up for a successful recovery, with guidance from clinical research and firsthand data.

The Science Behind Prehab with MAI Motion

What makes MAI Motion unique? Unlike traditional motion-tracking systems that use physical sensors, MAI Motion analyses your movement simply by capturing video as you perform everyday tasks. This technique not only feels natural but also provides highly accurate information about your knee’s range of motion, balance, and muscle strength.

A great example of its practicality is the three-repetition sit-to-stand test , where you stand up and sit down three times. This quick, effort-free assessment gives clear, reliable insights into your lower-limb function and strength, reflecting your ability to move safely and confidently. By gathering precise, personalised data, MAI Motion enables healthcare professionals to tailor prehab exercises to your specific needs, making your preparation more targeted and effective.

Cutting-edge research supports this approach, showing that motion-based “biomarkers”—distinct features of how we move—can be automatically identified and tracked over time. These biomarkers allow therapists to see exactly how you’re progressing and adjust your programme accordingly, bringing a powerful layer of accuracy and customization to your care.

Strength Preparation and Setting Realistic Expectations

A core part of prehab is called “strength prep”—focused efforts to build up the muscles around your knee. With the data from MAI Motion, therapists can pinpoint which muscle groups need extra attention and design exercises that target those areas most effectively.

Just as important as the physical work is understanding what to expect after surgery. Regular check-ins and assessments with MAI Motion make it easy to see your own progress, helping to set realistic expectations for your recovery journey. When you know what’s normal and what milestones to aim for, it takes a lot of uncertainty out of the process. It also helps motivate you to stick with your prehab plan, since you can track real improvements along the way.

Practical Implementation and Benefits for Knee Surgery Recovery

Integrating MAI Motion into your pre-surgery routine is simple and user-friendly. You’ll begin with an initial assessment using everyday movements, all captured and analysed by the system. This gives your healthcare team a clear, objective picture of your current abilities and helps them build a prehab plan suited just for you.

As you progress through your tailored exercises, repeat assessments provide ongoing feedback and let your team make any needed adjustments to keep you on the right track.

Research shows that patients who use data-driven prehab with MAI Motion experience significant benefits: fewer complications after surgery, quicker return of mobility, and better overall recovery outcomes. The objective information also improves communication between you and your care team, making your decisions more informed and your goals clearer. By tracking measurable progress and proven biomarkers, you and your therapists can confidently monitor your journey to recovery.

Conclusion

Knowing your baseline movement and strength before knee surgery is key to building a prehab plan that truly supports your recovery. The MAI Motion system offers a modern, comfortable, and accurate way to gather this information and guide you through targeted strength preparation.

By adopting innovative tools like MAI Motion, patients not only benefit physically, but also gain a better understanding of their path to healing. If you’re preparing for knee surgery, ask your healthcare provider about prehab options that use advanced motion analysis . Embracing these strategies can help you move into surgery—and recovery—with greater confidence and better results.