Patients in the hospital recuperating from surgery, healing from an injury, or being treated for a disabling health condition may require physical therapy as an essential part of their overall treatment plan. This type of therapy may be helpful for any health problem that affects the nerves, muscles, bones, or brain and is causing temporary or permanent disability.

Conditions treated with physical therapy in hospitals

Many health complications that cause pain or limit the ability to move normally may be helped by physical therapy. This type of treatment may be needed at the hospital before the patient departs to their home or an extended care or rehabilitation facility.

Physical therapy treatment may be prescribed for patients with conditions including:

Stroke

Stroke is a block or burst of the blood supply to the brain. The most significant part of stroke recovery is early rehabilitation that often starts right away in the hospital. Physical therapy can help patients relearn how to manage their daily activities and it can also help get back lost function and prevent more damage.

Spine Injury

Neck and back injuries need early treatment for the best results. Physical therapy for these injuries start as soon as possible at the hospital. They help limit more damage and shorten recovery time.

Pain

Physical therapy may help ease your pain for patients that experience severe pain in the hospital after an injury or an operation or because of a nerve or muscle problem, it can also help better handle it.

Joint Conditions

Joint problems can cause pain, stiffness, and limited movement. Physical therapy can ease pain and improve range of movement. It can also teach the patient how to use their joints without causing more damage. Examples of these conditions include ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.

Other Conditions

Patients may also need rehabilitation for cancer, heart disease, lung problems, an infected wound, an amputation, or a severe burn and after joint replacement surgery.

What are included in hospital rehab treatments

At the hospital, the physical therapists (PT) examines the patient, orders special tests, and reviews health records. After completion of these activities, the PT will prepare a customized rehabilitation treatment plan to fit the patient’s medical needs. Other healthcare professionals may also be involved in helping patient care, such as occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, social workers, and psychologists. There assistance may help patients with:

• Exercise and build up the patient’s muscles
• Stretch their muscles to gain flexibility
• Range of motion (ROM) exercises to maintain or increase movement
• Exercises and activities to help coordination and balance
• Improve healing by using massage, heat, cold, electric currents, or sound waves

Physical therapy is a crucial part of recovery from many health conditions resulting from a hospital stay. In many situations it is the start of a process that will continue after you leave the hospital. It may be completed at an extended care or rehabilitation facility or you an outpatient physical therapy department or in a home setting.