Orthopedic Rehabilitation

Ochsner Rehabilitation Hospital draws on the expertise of medical rehabilitation specialists to address the range of physical and functional issues that occur following injury, joint replacement or other bone-related conditions.

This interdisciplinary team is led by a physiatrist, a physician board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and includes rehabilitation nurses; physical, occupational and speech therapists; dietitians; pharmacists; case managers and other clinical and support staff, as needed.

In addition, your family members are an important part of the care team. They may be asked to participate in therapy sessions to understand your condition and how to help support you.

Because every patient is different and has varied challenges, goals and expectations, treatment will be tailored to your individual needs to help:

• Restore physical abilities
• Build strength and endurance
• Minimize pain
• Improve balance and mobility
• Enhance skills to perform daily activities
• Avoid complications
• Optimize independence

Your therapy sessions will include hands-on activities with some aided by high-tech therapy equipment. Sessions will be provided three hours per day, five days a week or 15 hours over a seven-day period, depending on your tolerance and ability to actively participate.

Your care plan may focus on:

• Mobility skills training such as transfers, standing and/or walking
• Strengthening, coordination and endurance exercises
• Tactics to improve communication, swallowing and/or vision
• Daily living activities such as dressing, eating and bathing
• Strategies to improve memory, concentration, judgment and problem solving
• Medication management
• Strategies for returning home and to the community
• Caregiver education and training

It’s important to remember that recovery takes time. Each patient is different and your stay with us will depend on your diagnosis, rehabilitation needs and goals and daily progress.