Rehab Select Blog

Orthopedic rehabilitation is a crucial element in the long-term success of joint replacement surgeries, working to ensure that patients recover fully and regain their maximum level of joint function, mobility, and comfort. Given the important role rehab plays in terms of patient outcomes, patients who are in the planning phase of these procedures are often concerned with choosing the best possible program. So what kind of orthopedic rehab is best for joint replacement patients?

If you are in charge of the day-to-day care of a family member or friend, you should be aware of a common issue that often affects people who take on the many responsibilities that come with becoming a caregiver: caregiver depression. Caregiver depression can take a serious toll on you, so knowing its signs and how to avoid it is very important for both you and your loved one.

Whether you're recovering from an injury, surgery, cardiac event or any other traumatic medical issue, the thought of spending time in an inpatient rehabilitation program can be stressful. After all, you've probably already spent more time than you'd like in the hospital, and the thought of your own bed at home, with its comfort, familiarity and privacy, is bound to be much more inviting than a semi-private room in a rehab facility. While those feelings are certainly understandable, inpatient rehabilitation is the best road to a fast recovery, and as important as hospital room privacy is, a great rehab roommate can actually help your recovery too.

If you have suffered a broken hip, you probably have questions about what happens next. The first thing to know is that healing from hip fracture is a challenging process that will take quite a bit of time and hard work. In most cases, hip fractures are repaired with surgery, and the process of getting patients back on their feet – rehabilitation – begins soon after, often the very next day after surgery. While every case is different, here we'll outline the general process to help you learn what you can expect as you go through rehabilitation after hip fracture.

About half of all women in the U.S. and a quarter of all men will be diagnosed with osteoporosis. Some will be diagnosed through bone density screening tests, while others will find out after suffering a serious bone fracture. Hearing that you have osteoporosis is never a pleasant experience. However, the good news is that bone strength and density can be improved with osteoporosis treatment, slowing progression of the disease, and lifestyle changes and exercise can help as well.

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.

While it was once routine for surgical patients to receive the services they needed to recover before being discharged from the hospital, today's shorter hospital stays mean that patients who need rehabilitation after surgery must plan that aspect of recovery separately. For many this leads to a rehab program in a specialized rehabilitation facility. So what do you need to know if you're heading to rehab after surgery?

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.

For patients who will be spending time in an inpatient rehab program, the thought of sharing a room with another patient can be a cause for concern, perhaps even anxiety. While it is understandable to be a little nervous about moving in with a total stranger for a few weeks, in most cases the experience turns out to be a rewarding one, and knowing a few things about how to manage your privacy in a semi-private room can help ensure this.