Inpatient Orthopedic Rehabilitation for Children

If your child has a congenital or acquired orthopedic or musculoskeletal issue and is in need of inpatient rehabilitation care, the Orthopedic Rehabilitation Program at the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital Pediatric Unit can help.

The multidisciplinary team at the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital Pediatric Unit will assess your child and develop a personalized treatment plan, based on both clinical and evidence-based best practices, to help your child achieve his or her maximum function. Child and family education is also a critical part of the process.

The orthopedic rehabilitation team will work closely with your child's orthopedic surgeon in order to achieve the best possible outcome and ensure that all goals of surgery are met.

Good Shepherd's Orthopedic Rehabilitation Program is appropriate for children, ages 0 to 21, who have orthopedic issues that do not require an acute level of care for medical stability.

The Process

• First, a Good Shepherd nurse liaison meets with the child and family in the acute-care hospital to determine if the child can benefit from inpatient rehabilitation. A Good Shepherd nurse liaison may consult with the family prior to surgery or inpatient stay for a planned admission post-surgery. A consult from a physician board-certified in pediatrics and physical medicine and rehabilitation may be ordered. If the patient is deemed appropriate for this level of care, a referral is made, pre-admission paperwork is completed and the child is transferred to the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital Pediatric Unit.
• Upon arrival at the Pediatric Unit, each child receives a comprehensive evaluation from the interdisciplinary clinical team.
• A comprehensive treatment plan is then developed for each child.
• During his or her stay, each child receives daily medical management by a pediatrician and a physician board-certified in pediatrics and physical medicine and rehabilitation, along with daily physical, occupational, speech or recreational therapy.
• You and your child will participate in weekly meetings with the care team to develop goals, assess progress and discuss the treatment plan.
• Full discharge planning and education is provided to ensure that each child is safely transitioned to home with maximum function and independence. 

Good Shepherd’s Orthopedic Rehabilitation Program inpatient services include:

• Pre-admission evaluation by nurse liaison upon referral
• Comprehensive evaluation upon admission
• Ongoing assessment and consultation with referral sources
• Complete diagnostic studies, as needed, including laboratory services and psychological services
• Spasticity management
• Parent and caregiver education
• Pain management
• Assessment for bracing, orthotic and equipment needs
• Community reintegration outings and functional trial passes for children to safely practice new skills within the community
• Discharge planning and referral to community resources
• In coordination with your child's home school district, school is provided daily and assistance is provided for school reintegration post discharge.

Conditions treated in Good Shepherd’s inpatient Orthopedic Rehabilitation Program for Children:

• Amputation
• Arthrogryposis
• Congenital clubfoot
• Cranio-facial surgeries
• Dorsal root rhizotomy surgery
• Hamstring and gastroc tendon releases
• Hemophelia
• Hip dysplasia - post casting
• Hip osteomies
• Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
• Leg length discrepancy - lengthening
• Longbone cancer
• Osteogenesis imperfecta
• Scoliosis surgeries
• Slipped capital femoral epiphysis pin placement
• Spinal disc issues
• Spinal fusions
• Spinal laminectomies
• Tendon transfers
• Total knee replacement, total hip replacement

Your Care Team in Good Shepherd's Orthopedic Rehabilitation Program:

Pediatrician: A board-certified pediatrician medically manages the treatment of each child and coordinates the work of other professionals on the orthopedic rehabilitation team.

Pediatric Physiatrist: A physicial who is board certified in pediatrics and rehabilitation medicine coordinates the work of the Pediatric Orthopedic Rehabilitation Program team.

Pediatric Rehabilitation Nurses: Expert nurses evaluate and monitor each child, including height and weight. They also develop care plans in collaboration with the team, and they oversee each child's progress and education.

Physical Therapist (PT): A PT works with each child to improve strength, range of motion, balance and mobility.

Occupational Therapist (OT): An OT provides sensory needs assessment and intervention and works with each child on activities of daily living.

Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP): A certified speech language pathologist (SLP) evaluates each child and recommends treatment plans to address issues with speaking, swallowing, cognitive impairments and other disorders.

Neuropsychologist: Neuropsychologists review the needs of the child and family and provides services to assist with coping, social reintegration and post-traumatic stress.

Care Manager: Working directly with the child, family and care team, care managers complete assessments, coordinate ongoing care with the patient’s insurance company and assist with any necessary discharge plans. Care managers also connect families to community resources and help them meet the challenges of their child's new circumstances.

Recreational Therapists: A recreational therapist works with each child to improve his or her physical and cognitive skills, to promote socialization and to assist with the development of new or adjusted recreational activities in spite of physical limitations.

Teacher: A teacher is available to ensure that each child is keeping up with school work (depending on the ability of the child), and to assist with school re-entry.

Location:
Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital Pediatric Unit
2855 Schoenersville Rd.
Bethlehem, PA  18017

Contact:
Phone: 610-807-4200

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