Ethan Rhodes
Physical therapy, or PT, is a common form of treatment in hospitals. PTs are healthcare providers who help patients improve their physical movement and manage pain, often following an injury, surgery, or as treatment for a disabling medical condition. PTs work with patients to develop a treatment plan that includes a set of exercises and movements customized to the patient's unique symptoms and goals. Acute care physical therapy is often done in hospitals and ICUs when a patient is not yet well enough to be treated at home. Inpatient rehabilitation therapy is more intensive and comprehensive and is usually done in a dedicated facility where the patient will live during treatment. Inpatient PT is often recommended for patients who need to re-learn daily activities, such as getting dressed, using utensils, or walking.
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What You'll Learn
Physical therapy after surgery
Physical therapy, often referred to as rehab, is a type of treatment that can help with health problems affecting nerves, muscles, bones, or the brain, causing temporary or permanent disability. It is a crucial aspect of recovery after surgery, helping to improve strength, mobility, and flexibility, and reducing pain and the risk of future injuries.
Physical therapy can be started in the hospital, depending on the patient's condition and the type of surgery they have had. Acute care physical therapy, for instance, is often done in the hospital and ICU when the patient is not yet well enough to be treated at home. It is usually the start of a rehabilitation process that may continue after hospitalization in an outpatient physical therapy office or at home.
Inpatient rehabilitation therapy is more intensive and comprehensive and is often recommended for patients recovering from spinal cord injury, limb amputation, brain injury, or hip fractures. It involves re-learning daily activities such as dressing, using utensils, walking, or speaking. Inpatient rehab patients typically undergo at least three hours of therapy on five out of seven consecutive days.
A physical therapist will create a tailored plan to help patients regain their strength and mobility through exercises, stretches, heat, and cold therapy. This plan will take into account any health issues or limitations and will progress as the patient improves. Physical therapy can also help reduce the risk of secondary issues after surgery, such as infection, blood clots, and other complications, by keeping the body active and improving blood flow to the surgical area.
Overall, physical therapy is an important component of post-surgical care, helping to restore function, improve overall well-being, and set patients on the path to a quicker and more complete recovery.
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Acute care physical therapy
A "PT" in a hospital setting typically refers to a physical therapist. Physical therapists are movement experts who work with patients to improve their quality of life through hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movement. Acute care physical therapy is a specific type of physical therapy that occurs in the hospital while someone is being treated for a medical condition. It is often done in the hospital and ICU for patients who are not yet well enough to be treated at home. Acute care physical therapists provide care for people with urgent medical conditions who require immediate medical attention. They evaluate and manage movement problems resulting from complex medical conditions.
Bed mobility refers to the ability to move around while in bed. Acute care physical therapists assess the patient's ability to perform tasks such as rolling from one side to the other, scooting sideways or up and down, and moving from a lying position to a sitting position. If the patient is having difficulty with a specific task, the therapist can prescribe exercises to improve their ability to move in bed. Transfers refer to the ability to move the body from one position or surface to another, such as from sitting to standing or from a hospital bed to a chair. Therapists can offer exercises and techniques to improve the patient's ability to transfer safely and may recommend the use of a device like a transfer slide board.
Ambulation refers to the ability to walk. The therapist will assess the patient's ambulation status and offer suggestions to help them walk better, such as recommending the use of an assistive device like a walker or quad cane. Additionally, if muscle weakness or loss of range of motion is preventing the patient from walking safely, the therapist can prescribe leg-strengthening exercises to improve muscle function and ambulation. Acute care physical therapists can also address balance issues that may limit functional mobility, offering balance exercises to improve the patient's stability. Overall, acute care physical therapy helps patients improve their mobility and function safely while in the hospital and prepares them for discharge.
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Inpatient rehabilitation
Physical rehabilitation is often a crucial aspect of treatment for patients recovering from surgery, healing injuries, or managing disabling medical conditions. Inpatient rehabilitation is an intensive, comprehensive therapy programme provided in rehabilitation hospitals or units within acute care hospitals. It is designed for patients who require extensive therapeutic intervention, typically involving a minimum of three hours of therapy on five out of seven consecutive days.
During inpatient rehabilitation, patients work closely with their health team to address medical issues, reduce pain, and improve endurance. The rehabilitation teams meet weekly to review and plan each patient's treatment, ensuring a tailored and dynamic approach. Additionally, care managers assist with discharge planning and post-rehabilitation services, facilitating a smooth transition from the rehabilitation setting to the patient's home or community.
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Emergency department PTs
Physical therapy in the emergency department is a relatively novel practice that has gained traction over the past decade. PTs in the ED play a critical role in screening for appropriateness of care, consulting with other practitioners, and directly caring for patients. They can help patients start their recovery early, facilitating improved outcomes for certain injury types. For example, PTs can provide expertise in musculoskeletal, respiratory, and vestibular conditions. PT-led care in EDs has been shown to result in fewer opioid prescriptions and better outcomes for MSKD patients. PTs provide non-pharmacological approaches to pain management, addressing the root causes of pain and reducing opioid dependence.
In some cases, patients coming to the ED may not require inpatient hospital care but may present as unsafe to discharge home. In these cases, patients are often admitted to the hospital to be evaluated by a Physical Therapist for discharge planning. PT evaluations in the ED can help avoid unnecessary hospital admissions. ED PTs can also instruct patients in bed mobility, transfers, and walking, as well as the use of assistive devices such as crutches or a walker. They can also provide immobilization for fractures and ligamentous injuries.
In some locations, suitably qualified ED PTs may request imaging and prescribe medications, while in other locations, the patient is handed back to the specialty clinician. While the integration of PTs into ED care is still in its early stages, hospitals are recognizing the benefits of physical therapy services in the emergency department. PTs are critical members of healthcare teams in hospital settings, and their presence in emergency departments is growing.
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Physical therapy for chronic conditions
Physical therapy, or rehab, is a branch of medicine called physiatry. It is often a crucial part of treatment for patients in hospitals, helping them recover from surgery, heal from injuries, or manage disabling medical conditions. Acute care physical therapy, for instance, is often performed in the hospital or ICU when a patient is not yet well enough to return home.
Physical therapy is also essential for managing chronic diseases and improving patients' quality of life. It can help reduce pain, prevent complications, and improve mobility. For instance, physical therapy can help manage rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by reducing pain and inflammation, improving joint mobility, and enhancing overall function. Similarly, it can aid in the management of diabetes by promoting physical activity, controlling blood glucose levels, and improving cardiovascular fitness.
For patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), physical therapy can improve exercise capacity and muscle strength, reduce pain, and decrease the risk of future cardiac events. It can also help manage conditions like cancer, arthritis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). By tailoring exercise programs, providing education, and offering support, physical therapists empower patients to take control of their conditions and lead more active and fulfilling lives.
In the case of inpatient rehabilitation, patients typically receive intensive and comprehensive therapy, undergoing at least three hours of therapy on most consecutive days. This is often necessary for patients with spinal cord injuries, limb amputations, brain injuries, or hip fractures. Inpatient rehabilitation helps patients relearn daily activities such as dressing, using utensils, walking, or speaking.
Physical therapy can also be continued after a patient leaves the hospital, either at an outpatient physical therapy department or at home. This can help improve the chances of recovery and ensure patients can move around safely outside the hospital environment.
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Frequently asked questions
PT stands for physical therapist or physiotherapist. They are healthcare providers who help patients improve their physical movement.
A PT will develop a customised set of exercises and movements to help patients move their bodies. They help manage pain, improve range of motion, and prevent future damage.
You might work with a PT while recovering from an injury or surgery, or to manage chronic conditions. They can also help prevent injuries by improving your movement.
Acute care PT usually occurs in the hospital while someone is being treated for a medical condition and prepares them to go home. Inpatient PT is for those who need extensive, long-term PT and takes place in a dedicated facility where the patient will live during treatment.
PTs in emergency departments play a critical role in screening for appropriateness of care and reducing the likelihood of revisits. They also assist in reducing costs, increasing patient satisfaction, and decreasing the potential for readmission.
