Keeping Healthy: Outpatient Rehabilitation
By: Jennifer Lee
Updated: December 8, 2011
"It was July 9th I was going to my grand daughters graduation party walking down the street with my sister and I just fell."
Lucille Shepardson lead a very active life before that day, volunteering and babysitting her grandchildren. A life she was determined to return to after hip surgery to repair her broken femur.
but the work didn't end with her surgery --- in fact that's where it started.
"I couldn't lift my leg at first, she showed my exercises to lift my leg, move it back and forth."
She is Suzanne Mcsweeney the physical therapist at Little Falls Hospital who guided Lucille's treatment, tailored to meet her needs --- the way she works with everyone who comes through the door.
Its different everyday I could see three people in the same day, with the same diagnosis and treat them three different ways. Based on everything from their age to their pain tolerance"
Rehabilitation after joint revision surgery is as aggressive as possible without damaging the new implant construction in most cases physical therapy starts just 24 hours after the procedure.
its continues for up to three months following the surgery
"We work with them to get them back on their feet so that they can get back home and enjoy their lives the way they'd like to."
The American academy of orthopedic surgeons says that restrictions remain in place for six to twelve weeks --- with some patients starting rehab in a hospital setting like this one, or opting for home or outpatient therapy.
With treatments like these Lucille regained her independence, never forgetting her inspiration.
"I'm glad i am were i am I'm glad i did everything they told me too, because I'll tell you I would be if I wasn't, and I have my son that pushes me, my kids you got to be around for them."
Lucille Shepardson lead a very active life before that day, volunteering and babysitting her grandchildren. A life she was determined to return to after hip surgery to repair her broken femur.
but the work didn't end with her surgery --- in fact that's where it started.
"I couldn't lift my leg at first, she showed my exercises to lift my leg, move it back and forth."
She is Suzanne Mcsweeney the physical therapist at Little Falls Hospital who guided Lucille's treatment, tailored to meet her needs --- the way she works with everyone who comes through the door.
Its different everyday I could see three people in the same day, with the same diagnosis and treat them three different ways. Based on everything from their age to their pain tolerance"
Rehabilitation after joint revision surgery is as aggressive as possible without damaging the new implant construction in most cases physical therapy starts just 24 hours after the procedure.
its continues for up to three months following the surgery
"We work with them to get them back on their feet so that they can get back home and enjoy their lives the way they'd like to."
The American academy of orthopedic surgeons says that restrictions remain in place for six to twelve weeks --- with some patients starting rehab in a hospital setting like this one, or opting for home or outpatient therapy.
With treatments like these Lucille regained her independence, never forgetting her inspiration.
"I'm glad i am were i am I'm glad i did everything they told me too, because I'll tell you I would be if I wasn't, and I have my son that pushes me, my kids you got to be around for them."
