Orthopedics Rehabilitation

At Greenwich Hospital patients who undergo orthopedic treatment, including surgery, have access to physical and occupational therapy. Physical therapy increases functioning, strength, and endurance through exercise. Occupational therapy improves the ability to perform daily activities.

Both inpatient and outpatient therapy are available through the Greenwich Hospital Department of Physical Medicine. Therapists work one-on-one with patients under the direction of a board-certified physiatrist, a physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is important for a patient's successful recovery after orthopedic surgery. Therapy is focused on managing pain, improving function and mobility and minimizing the potential for infection. It also helps maintain self-esteem, and provides support for patients and their families. Individualized treatment plans may include:

• Patient education
• Posture/body mechanics training
• Approaches to pain reduction
• Aquatic therapy
• Massage
• Soft tissue mobilization
• Flexibility and strengthening exercises
• Balance and coordination training
• Gait and functional training

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is skilled therapy that helps patients achieve independence in all facets of life. While in the hospital, orthopedic surgery patients may have sessions with an occupational therapist that include:

• Customized treatment to improve the ability to perform daily activities (eating, grooming, bathing, dressing) as well as home management (shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry)
• Adaptive equipment recommendations and training
• Therapy for hand function, visual perception, and brain function (awareness, memory, reasoning). Functional mobility including the ability to move from chair to bed, wheelchair mobility training, and custom seating and wheelchair evaluation recommendations