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The Prehab Course

An online course for exercise to strengthen your body prior to your knee replacement surgery

Succeed Courses is now HSA/FSA eligible with Trumed.

Succeed Pre-Hab Course interface on laptop, tablet, and mobile screens

What is the prehab course?

This course will cover stretches, balance exercises and specific exercises for pre knee replacement. The exercises are divided into 3 levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced, based on your mobility and pain levels.

What is the difference between the Prehab Course & the Pre-Surgery Course?

The Prehab Course will give you the full pre-surgery exercise plan, but will not include the surgery prep information including the list of questions for the surgeon, home prep, caregiver prep, surgery options, what to expect & your first day home.

Person sitting on chair with anatomy poster in medical or educational setting

Prepare your body before surgery for the best possible outcome. This is the best thing you can do to prepare for surgery.

Quad & hip strengthening exercises
How to start a walking or biking program
Stretches for knee bending and straightening
Balance exercises
Exercises are specific to muscles that are weak after surgery
The Prehab course

What topics are covered in this course?

Full Pre-Op Strength Program

Customizable exercise programs at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Includes strengthening for quads, glutes, hamstrings, and calves (key muscle groups that often weaken after surgery). All exercises come with a handout for easy access.

Arm Strengthening Program

Upper body strength is essential for independence after surgery, especially when using a walker or getting in and out of bed or chairs. This course includes a dedicated arm workout program to keep you strong and mobile.

Core Strengthening for Stability and Back Support

Includes safe, effective core exercises that improve balance, stability, and posture, helping reduce post-op back pain and making everyday movements easier.

Stretching & Range of Motion

Carefully designed stretching routines that focus on knee bending (flexion) and knee straightening (extension)—two movements critical for walking, standing, and returning to daily activities.

Endurance & Cardio Prep

Practical guidance on how to incorporate walking and biking into your pre-surgery routine to safely build stamina, circulation, and overall resilience.

Direct Access to a Licensed Physical Therapist

Have questions or need modifications? Get support from Dr. Samantha Smith, PT—available for direct messaging within the course.

Pre-Hab Course
This course is covered by our 30-day money back guarantee.
Exercises program developed by Physical Therapist, Dr. Samantha Smith
Beginner, intermediate and advanced exercise ideas
Exercise and stretching ideas with modifications
Printable home exercise program (with pictures) for easy access

Succeed Courses is now HSA/FSA eligible with Trumed.

Meet your
instructor

With 7 years of education, a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, and after treating 1,000+ patients I decided it was time to become an instructor.

As I was treating patients, I noticed there was a lack of information being provided to patients before, during and after surgery. Many people had little to no information given to them about what to really expect.
“I want you to feel confident with your decision to have a knee replacement and have all the tools you need to succeed. This is a long journey and I will help you succeed.”
- Dr. Samantha Smith PT
Smiling person in gray shirt with crossed arms looking confident

Frequently asked questions

What course should I take?

If you are preparing for surgery, I would recommend the Bundle Course, which includes the Pre-Surgery & Post Surgery Course. This is the best option to be 100% prepared for surgery. If you enjoy follow along with me exercise classes, you can also enroll in the 6 Week Pre-Surgery Exercise Class.

If you just need the pre-surgery exercises, the Prehab Course would be great. If you want to be more prepared, the Pre-Surgery Course is better. These are self paced courses (not follow along with me exercise classes).

If you are 0-4 weeks post surgery, the best course to take is the Post Surgery Course. This will tell you exactly what to do, how to manage swelling, pain, what exercises to do. This is my full post op protocol. This course should help you avoid common issues like bending and straightening issues.

If you are 5+ weeks post surgery, you may want to pick a course that better fits your needs...

It's always important to improve your range of motion first. That will be phase 1 of knee replacement recovery. If you do not have full bend or straightening by 5 weeks post surgery, the Knee Bending Course & Knee Straightening Course can help.

If your bend/straighten is good, next step is strength! My 4 Week Strength Class (Level 1) can be started as early as 8 weeks post op.

What's the difference between courses and classes?

All of the courses are self paced. You will receive video demonstrations of all the exercises and handouts. The courses are more educational and cover more FAQs that you may have.

All the classes are follow along with me exercise classes. This is for someone who wants to just press play and workout with me. Think of me as Richard Simmons! The classes are longer format than the courses.

I am struggling with knee bending but I am several weeks/months post surgery.

Most people in the Knee Bending Course are between 3-9 months post surgery. It is definitely possible to improve your bending even several months post surgery! Yes, it usually is easier to improve the earlier you are in recovery, but don't give up. We've had 1 participant in the Knee Bending Course who went from 90 to 120 at 3 years post surgery. We've also had several people in the course who have been 1+ years post op make progress.

Scar tissue is always a consideration after a knee replacement, but most people do not have signficiant scar tissue. Usually the knee is stuck because of tight muscles. The Knee Bending Course helps reduce muscle tightness.

The same information applies to knee straightening for the Knee Straightening Course.

My range of motion is good, but I am still having stiffness, pain, etc.

Stiffness, knee pain, difficulty with walking, pain when standing up from chairs, difficulty with stairs, stiffness when standing/sitting, leg fatigue, knee buckling, knee tightness can all be related to weakness of the knee and surrounding muscles. Many people have a reduction in these symptoms when they start doing a more comprehensive, specialized exercise program! Join my 4 Week Strength Class (Level 1) to help!

Are these classes live?

All the courses and exercise classes are pre-recorded. The only class that has a start date is the 4 Week Strength Class (Level 1). I only accept a certain amount of participants each month for this class because I get a lot of questions.

How long do I have access to the courses?

All courses and exercise classes are lifetime access! If you are planning surgery on your other knee in the future, you can use the courses still.

Why should I trust you?

I have been a licensed Physical Therapist who specializes in knee replacement recovery for over 7 years. I only work with knee replacement patients. I specialize in the complex cases such as chronic knee bending and straigthening issues, knee stiffness, ongoing pain, revisions, chronic swelling and much more.

In short, I live and breathe knee replacements. This is all I do 40+ hours per week. Everything I teach is grounded in my clinical experience, evidence based practice, load management principles, tissue healing timelines, progressive strengthening science. This is not random exercise selection or aggressive "push through the pain" advice. Everything is intentional programming designed specifically for knee replacement recovery, delivered clearly.

Do you offer 1:1 support?

Yes, I do offer phone consultations and I do have monthly 1:1 coaching. Spots are very limited for the coaching so please submit an application!

How do I login to the course?

During checkout, you will be required to create a password. You'll use that password and your email to login here: learning.succeedcourses.com/login You can also use the blue "course login" button at the top of the page.

What is the time commitment per course?

The Bundle Course (Prehab, Pre Surgery & Post Surgery Course) are designed to be like a PT session. During the beginning phases of recovery some exercises are done a few times per day. As you heal, the frequency changes. All of this is thoroughly explained and you'll have handouts to keep you on track.

The Pre-Surgery Exercise Class is 5 days per week. You'll get 3 leg workouts and 2 arm workouts. The leg workouts are 20-30 minutes. The arm workouts are 10-15 minutes. This is a 6 week program.

The Knee Bending Course is 3x per day. Some people only complete the course 2x per day due to work/life commitments, which is totally fine! The course sessions should take 10-15 minutes. Its a 3 week program.

The Knee Straigthening Course is 2x per day. About 15-20 minutes each session. Its a 3 week program.

The 4 Week Strength Class (Level 1) is 3x per week. The classes are 40-45 minutes long. Its a 4-week program. The Level 2 program is the same frequency as Level 1.

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