PHYSIOTHERAPY

Physiotherapy, also referred to as physical therapy, involves evaluating, diagnosing, and treating a range of diseases, disorders, and disabilities using physical means. Practiced by physiotherapists or physical therapists, physiotherapy is considered within the realm of conventional medicine. Though physiotherapy is typically practiced by physical therapists, certain tasks may be delegated to trained assistants or other types of health professionals.

PHYSIOTHERAPY MANAGEMENT

PHYSIOTHERAPY MANAGEMENT IS PROVIDED FOR THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS

● Acute and chronic musculoskeletal disability anddysfunction

● Amputation● Cardiorespiratory dysfunction● Central Nervous System trauma and disease● Congenital physical dysfunction● Geriatric and aged conditions● HIV-related conditions● Neurological/Neurosurgical conditions● Oncology and Palliative Care-related conditions● Peripheral Nervous System trauma and disease● Physical mobility impairment● Post surgical conditions at risk of developing respiratory

complications● Rheumatologic conditions● Surgical, congenital and traumatic orthopedic conditions

PHYSIOTHERAPY MANAGEMENT

Peripheral Nervous System trauma and diseasePhysical mobility impairment

Post surgical conditions at risk of developing respiratory complications

Rheumatologic conditions

Surgical, congenital and traumatic

orthopedic conditions

Acute and chronic musculoskeletal

disability anddysfunction

PHYSIOTHERAPY MANAGEMENT

OTHER SERVICES:

● Provision of cast application, cast removal and application of braces and splints● Education of patients, relatives, Medical, Allied Health and Nursing staff,

Physiotherapy students, medical students and overseas trained physiotherapists● Organisation of physiotherapy discharge and referral for inpatients● Prescription, supply and maintenance of mobility aides and equipment required for

patients● Management of staff related work injuries

PHYSIOTHERAPY MANAGEMENT

INPATIENT SERVICES

● Emergency Department● Cardiothoracic Surgery Ward/

Thoracic Medicine and Heart / Lung Transplant Unit

● Coronary Care Unit● Intensive Care/ Critical Care● Orthopaedics/ Rheumatology/ Urology Ward● HIV/ AIDS / Immunology and

Gastroenterology Ward● ENT & Head& Neck Surgery/ Plastic Surgery

& Gastro surgical Ward

PHYSIOTHERAPY MANAGEMENT

Renal / Oncology / Haematology WardNeurology / Neurosurgery / Vascular Ward

Aged CareDay Stay Unit

Palliative Care UnitRehabilitation Unit

PHYSIOTHERAPY MANAGEMENT

OUTPATIENT / AMBULATORY CARE SERVICES:

● Hospital Ambulatory Care Clinics e.g. Fracture Clinic, Cardiac Surgery pre-op clinic

● Community / General Outpatients (Musculoskeletal)● Community Palliative Care patients● Palliative Care Outpatients● HIV / AIDS Outpatients● Cardiothoracic Outpatients● Rehabilitation Outpatients

Physiotherapy in Trauma &

Orthopaedics

PHYSIOTHERAPY IN TRAUMA AND ORTHOPEDICS INVOLVES

1.0 ELECTIVES:

2.0 TRAUMA:

3.0 SPINAL:

In all these areas Physiotherapists work very closely with the other staff such as, doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and social services, to give patients the best treatment possible.

Physiotherapy in Trauma & Orthopaedics

1.0 ELECTIVES:

1.1 PATIENTS ELECTED TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING SURGERY:

● Total Hip Replacement● Total Knee Replacement● Total Ankle Replacement● Total Elbow Replacement● Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction● Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Physiotherapy in Trauma & Orthopaedics

1.2 PATIENTS EXERCISE PROGRAMS TO REGAIN MOVEMENT AND STRENGTH:

●Patients must do these exercises regularly on their own. ●When patients are ready, the physiotherapist will help them to get out of bed.

●Patients may use a frame or crutches when they first get up. ●Prior to discharge home the physiotherapist will ensure that patients are safe walking and if necessary safe on steps and stairs. ●Sometimes an outpatient physiotherapy appointment will be made to enable patients to continue with more

rehabilitation.

Physiotherapy in Trauma & Orthopaedics2.0 TRAUMA:

2.1 PATIENTS WHO RECEIVE PHYSIOTHERAPY:● People who have fractured bones, damaged/ruptured ligaments, ruptured tendons or

dislocated a joint.● People who have sustained more than one fracture or dislocation usually in a road traffic

accident.

Physiotherapy in Trauma & Orthopaedics

2.2 PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENT WILL VARY DEPENDING ON INJURIES AND SEVERITY:

● If patients had an operation to repair injuries then exercise programs are charted to allow patients regain strength and movement to get them safe to go home.

● Sometimes an outpatient physiotherapy appointment is made to enable patients to continue with more rehabilitation.

● If patients have not had an operation then their injury will be supported in a plaster cast or brace. The physiotherapist will teach them an appropriate exercise program to maintain strength and range of movement in the joints as allowed by their plaster cast or brace.

● If patients have several injuries then the physiotherapist will give them exercise programs adapted to their injuries to enable them to regain strength and movement. Physiotherapists will also get them safe to go home.

● Patients will begin their rehabilitation in hospital but usually they will require further rehabilitation in outpatient physiotherapy.

Physiotherapy in Trauma &

Orthopaedics3.0 SPINAL:

3.1 PATIENTS WHO RECEIVE PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENT:

● Elective spinal surgery, e.g., discectomy, decompressions, fusions. ● Trauma injuries to the spine, eg, fractures, dislocations or spinal cord

injuries.● Pathology, eg, tumours, discitis or ankylosing spondylitis.● Acute back pain, that is requiring further investigation such as a MRI

scan.● Scoliosis surgery; this is mainly for children but sometimes for adults.

You are seen pre-operatively for physiotherapy assessment and treated after your operation. ● If you have had a spinal operation the physiotherapists will monitor

patients chest to help you keep it clear● The physiotherapist will also give them an exercise program to

regain strength and movement and get them safe to go home.● Patients will also receive some advice from the physiotherapist on

posture, exercise and return to work/activity.● If patients have had scoliosis surgery, the physiotherapist will help

get them moving and walking and keep an eye on their chest.● When it is time to go home the physiotherapists will give them

advice on their back and managing at home.