INpatient physical therapy
Physical therapy plays a very important role in individuals regaining their strength, mobility and functions after injury or surgery. Physical therapy; Depending on the results of your discomfort and the benefits you will receive, your specialist may arrange for you to come at certain intervals or as inpatient treatment.
In cases that require intensive therapy sessions and close monitoring, your specialist may request that you receive inpatient treatment at the health center for a certain period of time. Inpatient/inpatient physical therapy not only accelerates recovery, but also encourages patients to achieve their rehabilitation goals more effectively. By providing the patient with continuous access to medical care and therapy, it ensures that any complications or setbacks are addressed promptly.
What is inpatient physical therapy?
In an inpatient physical therapy setting, the patient stays at the health facility for a certain period of time for treatment, depending on their condition.
This form of therapy is most commonly used in the following patients:
- Those undergoing major surgery, such as joint replacement or spinal surgery
- Those recovering from a traumatic brain injury
Which patients are suitable for inpatient physical therapy?
Inpatient physical therapy is especially beneficial for individuals who cannot safely perform therapy on their own at home due to the severity of their condition. Inpatient treatment is most often used in the following situations:
Stroke and Neurological Conditions: Patients who have had a stroke often experience deterioration in their motor skills, balance, and strength. Inpatient treatment may be required for patients with Parkinson’s disease, where intensive treatment is essential to maintain mobility and quality of life.
In inpatient physical therapy, the physical therapist; plays an important role in retraining walking, balance and coordination, and helping patients regain movement and independence.
Post-Surgical Rehabilitation: Patients recovering from hip or knee replacements, spine or other major surgeries may require intensive rehabilitation. Inpatient treatment can help these patients get the mobility support they need while reducing the risk of post-operative complications such as blood clots or muscle atrophy.
Severe Trauma: Those who suffer traumatic injuries such as fractures, spinal cord or brain injuries benefit from intensive therapy while in the hospital. Physical therapists help patients gain strength and improve mobility while managing pain and addressing the risk of further injury.
Chronic Illnesses: Some chronic illnesses, such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, may require inpatient treatment to help patients manage symptoms and improve overall function. Therapy helps maintain muscle strength and flexibility, preventing further loss of mobility.
COPD: To help maintain or improve lung capacity for COPD patients, a residential rehabilitation setting can provide a safe, medically supervised environment where patients can gradually increase their exercise tolerance with the help of a physical therapist.
Arthritis Management: Many people living with arthritis have benefited from residential rehabilitation therapy. Through intensive physical therapy, patients can improve their strength and flexibility in the muscles surrounding the affected joints.
Heart Attack Recovery: A residential physical therapy program provides heart attack patients with the safe environment to learn how to regain their strength and reduce their risk of another heart attack before returning home.
What are the differences between inpatient and outpatient physical therapy?
A residential physical therapy program means that you stay in a healthcare facility for the rehabilitation therapy you need. The length of your stay can range from a few days to a month or more, depending on your individual needs.
People who are admitted to hospitals that provide inpatient physical therapy receive comprehensive rehabilitation care through a tightly coordinated, physician-led, multidisciplinary team of rehabilitation professionals. The team typically includes rehabilitation physicians and specialists, physical, occupational and speech therapists, nutritionists, social workers, counselors and care coordinators, depending on the needs of each patient.
Being admitted to a residential rehabilitation program means that you will receive intensive rehabilitation therapy. You will also have access to on-site rehabilitation equipment, facilities and staff during your stay. This means that you can work toward your rehabilitation goals in a safe and supervised environment between therapy sessions.
You will receive 24-hour medical monitoring and care, including pain management and wound care when necessary.
Outpatient rehabilitation means that you receive your therapy and treatment through a series of visits to a health center. Services provided in an outpatient rehabilitation program usually include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.
After the sessions at the health center, patients are usually expected to continue doing the exercises and activities in the program created for them by their therapist at home.
What are the benefits of inpatient physical therapy?
One of the main advantages of inpatient physical therapy is its multidisciplinary approach. Patients are treated not only by a physical therapist but also by occupational therapists, nurses, and other specialists. This team-based care addresses all aspects of recovery, increasing the patient’s chances of regaining independence. Physical therapists focus on mobility, balance, and strength, while occupational therapists can assist with activities of daily living, such as dressing or using adaptive equipment.
Another benefit is access to specialized equipment and techniques that may not be available in outpatient settings. Inpatient facilities often have robotic-assisted devices, hydrotherapy pools, and high-tech rehabilitation tools that help patients recover faster and more effectively.
If you live alone and have an acute medical event or a degenerative disease such as arthritis or osteoporosis, it may be difficult to care for yourself at home for a period of time. A stay in an inpatient rehabilitation program can help you regain functional ability and/or learn to cope with these impairments before returning home.
If your recovery is delayed by work or home commitments, an intensive inpatient rehabilitation program can speed your progress, and managing all your daily needs, such as meals, medications, and care, can give you time and energy to focus on your recovery.
How is inpatient physical therapy administered?
The structure of inpatient physical therapy depends on the individual plan created by the physical therapist. However, sessions usually occur multiple times a day, and each session lasts between 30 minutes and 1 hour, depending on the patient’s stamina and recovery needs.
What therapies are applied in inpatient physical therapy?
Although more options can be added to inpatient physical therapy depending on the needs of the patient, therapies generally include:
Strength Training: Targeted exercises are performed to help rebuild muscle strength, especially in areas affected by surgery or injury.
Mobility Exercises Include activities that improve flexibility and range of motion, especially for patients recovering from joint or spine surgery.
Balance and Coordination Training These exercises, which are necessary for stroke patients or those with neurological disorders, help restore the ability to walk and move safely.
Pain Management Techniques such as massage, hot or cold therapy, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) are used to manage pain and discomfort associated with recovery.
How long does inpatient physical therapy take?
The length of stay for inpatient physical therapy varies depending on the patient’s condition, progress, and specific rehabilitation goals. On average, patients may stay in the health center for a few days to a few weeks. For example, patients may need a shorter stay (1-2 weeks) after surgery, while those who have suffered a stroke or spinal cord injury may need a longer period to fully regain function.
How does the transition from inpatient to outpatient treatment occur?
A patient may transition to outpatient physical therapy when they have progressed to the point where they no longer require 24-hour care. This phase allows the patient to continue their rehabilitation while giving them the freedom to return home. Outpatient treatment usually focuses on fine-tuning mobility, strength, and endurance, with the goal of returning to daily activities independently.
Frequently Asked Questions About Inpatient Physical Therapy
What are the stages of the inpatient treatment program in your hospital?
All therapy programs in our hospital are specially prepared after a detailed evaluation of the patient. An individualized program is created for therapy, including therapeutic exercises, manual therapy techniques, and assistive devices and equipment (e.g. robotics).
How is my progress evaluated during the treatment phase?
Since inpatient treatment is a team effort, your treatment team meets at regular intervals to discuss your progress, set goals, review potential obstacles to your rehabilitation progress, and plan your discharge date.
Does my family receive any training during this process?
Education is an important part of the rehabilitation program. Your family or caregivers will receive specific training to learn how to help you at home and what to look for.
What kind of program is applied for stroke in inpatient physical therapy?
The decision for outpatient or inpatient treatment after stroke/paralysis depends on the specialist, the patient and their family, and how much help they will need to recover in the best way. Below the Form
Outpatient treatment programs usually include an initial assessment to assess therapeutic needs, followed by a treatment plan. From there, patients will usually need to attend one to three hour therapy sessions several times a week.
An inpatient treatment program is a more intensive program. Stroke rehabilitation guidelines prepared by international authorities indicate that stroke survivors benefit more from rehabilitation planned by a multidisciplinary team and at least three hours of therapy each day.