Care Programs - Orthopaedic Rehabilitation

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Why Orthopaedic Rehabilitation

The goal of rehabilitation is to restore a patient to the fullest medical, physical, mental, emotional, social, and vocational potential possible.

Rehabilitation in the orthopaedic field of practice aims to facilitate optimal independence for patients with complex orthopaedic dysfunction, for example after hip or knee replacement surgery, or multiple orthopaedic trauma, all of which could potentially lead to significant disability.

Orthopaedic dysfunction can successfully be addressed by means of focused rehabilitation, and Spescare offers specific expertise in this field. Short term rehabilitative intervention is essential in view of the high risk of complications post-surgery in the absence of dedicated and intensive rehabilitation. Successful rehabilitation results in reduced healthcare costs and burden of care.

Orthopaedic Rehabilitation

Patients are usually discharged from hospital within three to seven days after hip or knee replacement surgery. However, it is important for optimum long term outcome that discharged patients don’t face undue risk during the recovery phase, and are able to safely perform activities of daily living once they return home, such as getting into and out of bed, chairs and a car, using the bathroom, and preparing food. If, after surgery, patients are not progressing to the point that they can safely return to their home environment, an assessment for inpatient rehabilitation is recommended. This facilitates the required therapeutic interventions while the patients still enjoy 24 hour medical and nursing care.

Benefits of Orthopaedic Rehabilitation

The benefits of the orthopaedic programme offered by Spescare include the following:

Prevention of prolonged stay in an inappropriate, acute environment.
All necessary rehabilitation services, medical and nursing care is offered under one roof.
Significantly decreased risk of complications during recovery phase post-operatively.
Greatly improved patient outcomes over a shorter period.
Interdisciplinary team approach, addressing all issues comprehensively.
Patient centered, outcomes driven rehabilitation.
Simulation of a home environment, where the patient has the opportunity to practice tasks under supervision with increasing confidence.
Focused and appropriate caregiver training on all aspects of home care.

Admission Criteria

The criteria for orthopaedic rehabilitation admissions include the following:

Post-operative patients with hip, knee and other joint replacements.
Multiple orthopaedic trauma.
Patients must be over 18 years (unless dedicated paediatric facilities are available).
Medically stabilised, with all surgical orthopaedic interventions completed.
Ability to benefit from rehabilitation and tolerate a comprehensive and intensive rehabilitation programme.

Program

The orthopaedic rehabilitation programme is focused on providing time limited, patient centered, outcomes based intervention early in the recovery process; thereby ensuring that all medical, physical and psychosocial needs are addressed. The multidisciplinary programme consist of individual sessions. Therapy and other interventions by the multidisciplinary team, are structured in accordance with the needs identified in the initial assessments, which measure functioning across all functional areas. Appropriate referrals are made after discharge and resources are provided. A follow-up assessment will be arranged to ensure maintenance of improved health status.

Program Overview

The program components includes the following:

Stabilisation of medical co-morbidities.
Patient and family education on the correct and safe performance of activities of daily living, movement and exercise in order to minimise the risk of complications.
Mobility and independence retraining with self-care tasks in an adapted environment.
Recommendations on home adaptations and assistive devices.
Addressing psychosocial needs of adjustment and coping.
Training of caregivers, if required.

Outcomes

Outcomes of orthopaedic rehabilitation in patients after joint replacement show the following benefits:

Increased muscle strength.
Improved mobility.
Enhanced joint flexibility.
Reduced swelling and pain.
Safety in ambulation.
Strengthening and conditioning of the entire kinetic chain.

Multidisciplinary Team

Our multidisciplinary team consist of the following members:

Rehabilitation doctors take overall responsibility for the patient’s safety and wellbeing by specifically managing the patient’s medical problems.
Nurses provide daily support, medical care and assist in functional retraining.
Physiotherapists provide daily physical and mobility training.
Occupational therapists provide functional and cognitive training.
Speech therapists monitor swallowing and provides communication training.
Psychologists provides counselling and cognitive training.
Social workers liaise with homes and family, they also assist with discharge planning.
Dieticians provide nutrition services.
Case managers are responsible for overall care coordination including pre-authorisation, arrangements with acute hospitals, updates to funders and discharge planning.
Patient relations officer is responsible for patient, family, clinical and funder relations coordination as well as managing family concerns.