Lehigh Valley Hospital: When It Matters Most
lvh.org home page Careers at LVH Education @ LVH For Professionals working with LVH
Health Encyclopedia

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O
P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation

What is musculoskeletal rehabilitation?

A musculoskeletal rehabilitation program is a physician-supervised program designed for people with impairments or disabilities due to disease, disorders, or trauma to the muscles or bones. Musculoskeletal rehabilitation programs can often improve functional capacity, reduce symptoms, and improve the well-being of the patient.

What conditions can benefit from musculoskeletal rehabilitation?

Some of the conditions that may benefit from musculoskeletal rehabilitation may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • amputation
  • trauma injuries such as sprains, strains, joint dislocations, and fractures
  • back pain
  • osteoporosis
  • arthritis
  • bone tumors
  • repetitive stress injuries such as tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome
  • joint injury and replacement

The musculoskeletal rehabilitation team:

Musculoskeletal rehabilitation programs can be conducted on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Many skilled professionals are part of the musculoskeletal rehabilitation team, including any/all of the following:

  • orthopaedist/orthopaedic surgeon
  • neurologist/neurosurgeon
  • physiatrist
  • internist
  • rehabilitation nurse
  • dietitian
  • physical therapist
  • occupational therapist
  • social worker
  • exercise physiologist
  • psychologist/psychiatrist
  • recreational therapist
  • case manager
  • chaplain
  • vocational counselor

The musculoskeletal rehabilitation program:

A musculoskeletal rehabilitation program is designed to meet the needs of the individual patient, depending upon the specific problem or disease. Active involvement of the patient and family is vital to the success of the program.

The goal of musculoskeletal rehabilitation is to help the patient return to the highest level of function and independence possible, while improving the overall quality of life - physically, emotionally, and socially.

In order to help reach these goals, musculoskeletal rehabilitation programs may include the following:

  • fitting and care for casts, braces, and splints (orthoses), or artificial limbs (prostheses)
  • exercise programs to improve range of motion, increase muscle strength, improve flexibility and mobility, and increase endurance
  • gait (walking) retraining and methods of safe ambulation (including the use of a walker, cane, or crutch)
  • help with obtaining assistive devices that promote independence
  • patient and family education and counseling
  • pain management
  • stress management and emotional support
  • nutritional counseling
  • ergonomic assessments and work-related injury prevention
  • vocational counseling

Click here to view the
Online Resources of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O
P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

As a service to our community, Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network purchases the content under "Diseases & Conditions" from Greystone.net, a provider of health care information for consumers.

ARTICLE TOOLS:

email this article to a friend print this article    Del.icio.us   Stumble It!

Search by last name: and/or select a specialty:
Network-employed physicians
Advanced Search






hon cod ©2008 Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network
LVH Info Line: 610-402-CARE
Cedar Crest & I-78, P.O. Box 689, Allentown, PA 18105-1556

Lehigh Valley Hospital has campuses in Allentown and Bethlehem, Pa. and serves the Pennsylvania communities of Easton, Doylestown, Quakertown, Hazelton, Lehighton, Perkasie, Pottstown, Pottsville, Reading, Scranton, Wilkes Barre, Stroudsburg, and the Poconos and also Phillipsburg and Flemington, N.J., and western New Jersey. You don't have to travel to Philadelphia or New York for quality health care.

 
Increase the Size of Text by clicking here. Descrease the Size of Text by clicking here Email this story to family and friends. Print this story formatted for your printer.