Rehab Select Blog

Do patients who commit to inpatient rehabilitation programs fare better in terms of recovery than patients who use outpatient physical therapy programs? A number of research studies suggest that they do. So just what is behind those better results? Here we'll look into the basics of inpatient rehab programs, including how they differ from outpatient or home-based services and why those differences often lead to better recovery results.

If you have a loved one who needs joint replacement, you should know that having a hip or knee replaced is a major surgery. Recovery and rehabilitation after these procedures takes time, and the process can be very intense. That means that your loved one will need help and care after surgery, particularly during the first two weeks when their mobility will be limited and pain levels will be high. To help both of you get through this trying time, we've put together some general information on caring for a loved one after joint replacement surgery.

If you're just stepping into the role of being a primary caregiver to a family member, friend, or neighbor, chances are you're feeling a bit overwhelmed about what the future may bring. As a new caregiver, you are focused on the needs of your loved one and the new responsibilities that come with taking charge of their care – not to mention all those other day-to-day responsibilities, be they related to home, family or work, that cannot be ignored.

Have you recently been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis? If so, you may well be rather shocked to find yourself saddled with such a diagnosis, and wondering, with no small amount of anxiety, just how much this disease will change your life. The frustrating thing about that question is that there is no definitive answer, since rheumatoid arthritis affects different people in different ways.

Joint replacement surgery replaces a diseased or damaged joint, most frequently a hip or knee, with a prosthetic, or artificial, joint. These very common surgeries are considered a treatment of last resort for patients, typically used only after all more conservative treatments, such as medications, physical therapy and exercise, have failed to produce adequate results. So what are the health benefits of joint replacement procedures?

If you've just been diagnosed with arthritis, learning what you can do to minimize the impact of the disease on your life is very important. The first step in doing that is working out an effective medical treatment plan with your doctor, but there are also plenty of things you can do on your own to aid in controlling arthritis symptoms. Of course, no two arthritis sufferers are alike, and there are many forms of the disease, but some simple strategies can help control the symptoms that virtually all have in common: joint inflammation, pain and stiffness.

Joint replacement surgery can mean big improvements in your quality of life, relieving the pain, stiffness and limitations imposed by your damaged or diseased hip or knee. However, these procedures are serious ones, and being well-prepared for all aspects of surgery and recovery process is important to ensuring the best possible outcome.

Is it possible to avoid memory loss with aging? Most of us experience a bit of trouble remembering things as we get older – a condition commonly called age-related memory loss. However, a lot of medical evidence out there shows that just how badly we're affected is largely dependent on how well we take care of ourselves – and our brains – as we age.

Kidney transplant is a treatment option for individuals who for whom chronic kidney disease (CKD) has progressed to stage 5, also known as end-stage renal disease or kidney failure. At this stage of the disease, the kidneys have lost the majority of their function, making dialysis, and eventually, kidney transplant necessary for survival.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common and growing problem in the United States today, described by some experts as epidemic. According to the CDC, an estimated 16.8 percent of adults over age 20 have CKD, and among people over age 60, the rate is even higher, at 26 percent and rapidly rising.