ORTHOPAEDIC SERVICES

Carolinas Rehabilitation offers a specialized program for individuals recovering from orthopaedic injuries or disorders. The goal of the program is to restore the patients' maximum level of functioning within the limits of their disability.

Various types of injuries or disorders may be appropriate for admission to the orthopaedic program. They include:

• Joint replacement
• Fractures of extremities or pelvis
• Amputations of upper or lower extremities
• Joint immobilization through external fixation or traction
• Muscle tendon releases or tendon transfers
• Elective or emergent surgery of the spine
• Decline in functional status related to chronic musculoskeletal disorders

Many patients who have undergone lower extremity amputations need multidisciplinary therapies to increase their mobility and level of functioning prior to returning home. They also need education in skin care and residual limb-wrapping to prepare themselves for a prosthetic device at a later time. These needs may make them appropriate for a short stay in an acute rehabilitation program.

Upon discharge from the hospital, patients may continue evaluations and assessments through Carolinas Rehabilitation's Musculolskeletal Clinic. Licensed therapists provide specialized therapy treatment for acute, traumatic and chronic orthopaedic conditions for the pediatric, adult and geriatric populations.

Musculolskeletal therapy services include:

• Pain-relieving modalities
• Therapeutic exercise
• Specialized exercise machines
• Aquatic therapy
• Manual therapy techniques
• Cardiovascular training
• Body mechanic re-education
• Individual patient education and home instruction