Musculoskelatal Rehab
Type of Rehab: Inpatient
Location(s): Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center
Our physical, occupational and speech therapists provide treatment evaluations and interventions to patients in the acute care nursing areas of Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center. This includes:
Arthritis/ Joint replacements
Avera McKennan provides weekly pre-operative teaching classes for patients who are planning hip or knee joint replacement surgery. These classes provide an up-front look at what to expect before, during, and after your hospitalization for total joint replacement. The therapists instruct patients in equipment, post-operative activities and precautions, and exercises that will assist in their recovery. Patients are also instructed in proper transfers, walking, and activities of daily living. This unique opportunity allows patients to have their questions and concerns answered prior to the day of surgery.
Patients are seen by physical therapy after surgery for ambulation and transfer training as well as therapeutic exercise for the affected joint. The patient may also be seen for occupational therapy for activities of daily living instruction and further transfer training. Patients are seen in the therapy department twice daily. Our goal is for the patient to achieve maximal independence prior to discharge. If the patient requires further assistance, the rehab team will make recommendations to the patient’s physician to allow for optimal follow-up care.
Pre-term labor patients
We provide this service for women who have developed premature labor during their pregnancy. The patients can be instructed while hospitalized, or as a home health patient or outpatient, depending on the patient’s activity restrictions. The program includes bed rest exercise instruction and precautions, proper body mechanics, adaptive equipment, and energy conservation techniques. Physical and occupational therapists provide these services in order to improve the physical well-being of expectant mothers.
Stroke (CVA) patient
Avera McKennan Rehabilitation Services has an interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of patients who have suffered a stroke. Speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy are involved in the care of patients recovering from a stroke, in the acute phase.
Wound/Burn care
We also treat a variety of patients in the area of wound management. Patients who are victims of burns, are seen in the Avera McKennan Burn Unit. Physical therapists are involved in the daily management of the burn wound, ambulation, transfer training, and any necessary therapeutic exercise including range of motion and strengthening. Occupational therapists provide assistance with the patient’s activities of daily living and any necessary adaptive equipment. Occupational Therapy is also responsible for splinting and upper extremity range of motion and strengthening.
Multi-trauma patients
Avera McKennan offers an interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of the trauma patient (Avera McKennan is a Verified Level II Trauma Center). Patients may be seen for bedside therapies as soon as they are medically stable to determine appropriate treatments.
The physical and occupational therapists will treat the patient at their bedside to assist in range of motion, strengthening, transfers, ambulation, and activities of daily living. Speech therapy will assess patient’s cognitive capabilities and their ability to eat and drink safely. As the patient progresses they will be seen in the therapy department for more advanced therapy.
Our goal is to return the patient to their previous level of function. The rehab team may recommended that these patients have continued care in a variety of settings dependent on their level of functioning.