Salem Health rehabilitation
What to bring to your appointment
Here's some helpful things to know and bring with you to ensure a smooth and productive physical therapy session.
Wear: Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and closed-toe, athletic shoes
Bring: Insurance card, photo ID, relevant medical history, imaging results (X-rays, MRIs, etc.), questions and therapy goals
We ask that you please arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to your appointment. This allows time to complete any paperwork (if required) and mentally prepare to discuss symptoms and progress.
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From the You Matter blog
Common fractures in elderly patients and how they’re treated
For older adults, a broken bone can dramatically affect mobility, independence and overall health. Orthopedic trauma surgeons at Salem Health Orthopedics frequently treat fractures in older patients and help guide them through recovery.
Fracture causes
“Fractures around the hip, knee, ankle and shoulder are among the most common injuries that we treat in older patients,” said Noelle Van Rysselberghe, MD. “Low-energy falls are by far the leading cause.”
The orthopedic surgeon said there are several steps people can take to prevent these injuries. That includes proper nutrition choices, getting enough sleep, and supplementing calcium and vitamin D when needed.
Injury prevention
“Weight-bearing activity and/or resistance training is also critical for maintaining bone density,” said Dr. Van Rysselberghe. “Strength training is arguably more important in older adults than it is in younger people because it helps counteract the natural tendency to lose muscle mass and bone density with age.”
Dr. Van Rysselberghe recommends anyone over the age of 65, or anyone who has had fragility fractures in the past, get a bone density scan and possibly start treatment for osteoporosis.
When is surgery needed?
Not all fractures require surgery, but most hip and femur fractures do.
“Surgery for those fractures usually involves placing a rod inside of the femur to stabilize the fracture while it heals, or alternatively doing a hip replacement depending on the fracture pattern,” said Dr. Van Rysselberghe. “In most cases, these constructs can support your full weight, allowing you to increase your mobility as your pain allows.”
Expected recovery
Dr. Van Rysselberghe said recovery varies greatly depending on the type of fracture and the level of patient function before the injury.
“Often, there is a short period of time in the hospital focusing on pain control and inpatient physical therapy,” she said. “Afterward, many patients choose to go to a rehab center for additional therapy or go home with assistance.”
Most fractures take between six weeks and three months to heal, but some can take longer. Additional time is usually needed to recover strength and coordination.
At Salem Health, there are four fellowship-trained orthopedic trauma surgeons ready to help.
“We’re trained to take care of all fractures of the upper and lower extremities as well as the pelvis,” said Dr. Van Rysselberghe. “No matter the orthopedic injury, we have somebody who can help and will do so with the utmost care and respect.”
Orthopedic care
Do you need orthopedic care after a traumatic injury? Learn more about: