Physical rehab after injury, elective surgery, or disease is crucial to recovery – and quality of care has a huge impact. Copley at Stoughton provides some of the best rehab care available right here in the Stoughton area, seven days per week.
Copley offers what is called subacute rehabilitation. It is for guests who no longer need the acute care a hospital provides, but who are not quite ready to go home on their own. There are many different therapy disciplines. Physical, occupational and speech therapy have some overlap, but they focus on different areas of recovery:
- PT focuses on the skeletal system, helping you regain strength and overall function through exercises, stretches, and other physical activities. Physical therapists are usually the ones overseeing your initial assessments.
- OT, on the other hand, works on motor skills to help you regain specific daily tasks. Occupational therapists will recommend exercises and strategies to help you better adapt to your environment in the short and/or long term.
- Patients may also work with Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) to help with any speech or swallowing issues.
All rehab programs are customized to each individual and depend on the injury, surgery, or disease, how much it affected you, and how much recovery you need. The overall goal is to increase strength, regain gross motor coordination (such as walking), and fine motor coordination (such as using a spoon or pen). Rehab programs for elective surgeries like a hip or knee, typically take anywhere from seven days to two weeks, as it is a planned and controlled program. On the other hand, surgeries like these that result from an accident may take longer, depending on the extent of the injury and the person’s motivation level.
Monitoring your progress is a critical piece of any rehab program, so you can do what will help most and avoid activities that could set you back again. Once your rehab services are completed at an in-house facility, your therapists will provide you with an at-home program to continue making progress. Pain management may be another aspect of rehabilitation, balancing the need to get your body moving again with the need for your body to rest and recover.
There are many unexpected medical situations that require rehabilitation, but if you are preparing for elective surgery, it is important to schedule your rehab services ahead of time whenever possible. For example, if you are requiring a hip, knee, or another type of non-emergency surgery, plan for your rehab too. You have a choice of where to go for rehabilitation services, so take time to do some research to ensure you’re getting the best care possible and one that is a convenient location for your family and you.
Your best bet is to talk to your primary care physician or your specialist to find out what to expect in your specific case. Copley at Stoughton is available to answer any questions and happy to set up a time to speak to you about our programs so you can make an informed decision.
Steve Tyer, Administrator