The Therapy Toolbox - Resi Rehab

An Introduction to Residential Rehabilitation

Residential rehabilitation at Dorset Orthopaedic is where clients attend for consecutive days of therapy input. Each day includes a morning and afternoon session, with time to rest and recoup in between. The number of consecutive days is agreed beforehand, ensuring that it fits in with the clients’ lifestyle and is enough (but not too much time) to see results.

Some clients initially seem quite nervous about residential rehabilitation, often imagining some army bootcamp style training. This is not the case! The rehabilitation can vary greatly depending on the client’s ability and goals, but each program is tailored specifically to them and what they would like to achieve. That isn’t to say that it won’t be hard work! But rest assured, the day will be a mix of the client working and times where they are on the plinth, whether that be for manual therapy or relaxation, for example.

If the rehabilitation is alongside the provision of a new prosthesis or orthosis, time will be booked in with the prosthetist/orthotist each day. This ensures that the fit and alignment of any new componentry is optimised, and clients are comfortable and able to make the most of their rehabilitation input.

The week will start with a thorough initial assessment. This includes subjective questions about the client, including discussions around current activity levels and restrictions, pain, hobbies and goals. This allows us to start building a plan for rehabilitation, with individual, realistic goals in mind.

The objective assessment will look at joints, muscle groups, balance, coordination, strength and control. Whatever the findings may be, whatever element it is, we will factor this into the rehabilitation plan. For example; if a client has a stiff hip, we will include manual therapy, stretches and strength training in to the programme.

A typical residential rehabilitation block would include gait re-education in and outside of clinic on various terrains, hydrotherapy at a local pool and home exercises. We may also use external adjuncts to complement the rehabilitation, for example compex electrical stimulation, if indicated.

Once the client becomes more confident indoors, we will also venture out to different environments to practice ‘real world’ scenarios. This may be a busy supermarket, the local park or a workplace – whatever the client wants to work towards.

At the end of the residential block, a review of the weeks achievements is completed and each client is given goals to work towards at home. An update will be sent to the funding parties with a clear future plan for ongoing rehabilitation. This could include recommendations for further

residential intervention, outpatient-based input or the transfer of care to appropriate community services – whichever is indicated for that particular individual.

If you would like any further information or are interested in an assessment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.