Specialized Care

What is Stroke?

Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It is the  No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States.

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts (or ruptures). When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it and brain cells die.[1]

When blood flow is blocked or lost, localized damage occurs. Symptoms will vary depending on the severity and location of the damage, but may include:

• Weakness or partial paralysis, usually on one side of the body
• Speech and swallowing difficulties
• Trouble with balance, walking and movement
• Difficulty grasping and using the affected hand

Stroke symptoms commonly respond to rehabilitation treatment.  A dedicated therapy plan committed to improving strength, skill and speech can help the stroke victim achieve the greatest possible outcome.  Rehabilitation combines specialty therapy for a coordinated treatment plan, improving symptoms, optimizing functionality and increasing independence for stroke patients.

[1] Source:  American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

Amputation is the removal of a limb resulting from an accident.  Amputation is more often a surgical treatment for a limb that is no longer functional due a defect, disease, injury, or severe and chronic pain.

Specialized help assists the patient that has experienced an amputation achieve the best outcome and prognosis, allowing them to adapt and returning to a normal life as quickly as possible.

How rehabilitation can make a difference

Kate Dishman offers pre-and-post prosthetic rehabilitation tailored to the individual needs of the patient.  Recovery may include all or a combination of the following:

• Physical therapy to strengthen surviving muscles and retrain them for movement and walking
• Occupational therapy for upper body strength and improved skills
• Therapy specific to training for everyday prosthetic (artificial limbs) usage
• Prosthetist for custom fabrication, fitting and training with the patient’s custom made prosthesis

Increase Independence after an Amputation

• Amputation is the removal of a limb (arm or leg) by trauma or surgery. People sometimes must have an amputation to control extreme and unrelenting pain or an aggressive disease in the limb, such as a tumor or gangrene.
• We have the access to the latest information and treatment for people who have experienced an amputation. Kate Dishman offers the clinical, technical and professional expertise needed to help patients progress toward total independence. Our goal is to provide our patients with the knowledge, skills and equipment needed to achieve the most independent life possible.

Brain injury can occur in different ways, usually a result of trauma such as a sports injury, fall or motor vehicle accident.  However, brain injury can also take place without trauma, such as with a stroke or infection.

CDC defines a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a disruption in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or penetrating head injury. Everyone is at risk for a TBI, especially children and older adults.

What is a TBI?

A TBI is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that disrupts the normal function of the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. The severity of a TBI may range from “mild” (i.e., a brief change in mental status or consciousness) to “severe” (i.e., an extended period of unconsciousness or memory loss after the injury).  Most TBIs that occur each year are mild, commonly called concussions.[1]

Acquired Brain Injury
There is sometimes confusion about what is considered an acquired brain injury. By definition, any traumatic brain injury (e.g. from a motor vehicle accident or assault) could be considered an acquired brain injury. In the field of brain injury, acquired brain injuries are typically considered any injury that is non traumatic. Examples of acquired brain injury include stroke, near drowning, hypoxic or anoxic brain injury, tumor, neurotoxins, electric shock or lightning strike.

Source:  Brain Injury Association of America

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Report to Congress on mild traumatic brain injury in the United States: steps to prevent a serious public health problem. Atlanta (GA): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2003.

Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) usually occur as a result of trauma to the spinal column. The stress resulting from the trauma can cause a fracture or dislocation of the vertebrae which damages the spinal cord tissue.

Depending on the severity and location, a spinal cord injury can exhibit a number of symptoms.  Many spinal injury victims expect full recovery with rehabilitation while others are more severe and can result in paralysis. In either case, rehabilitation can be vital to treatment and repair.

In addition to limiting mobility, spinal cord injuries can result in additional issues, such as respiratory problems.

Kate Dishman is a full service rehabilitation facility, with the expertise needed for specialized spinal cord injury care. The team approach includes nursing and therapy expertise working together for the greatest possible outcome, focused on:

• Treatment plans that are specific to the patient’s needs
• Medical attention and restoration
• Training and adaptation
• Access to post discharge services and equipment as required
• Optimized potential for great possible outcomes, despite long-term limitations

Kate Dishman is the regional experts in hip fracture rehabilitation.  Our close association with The Beaumont Bone and Joint Institute offers an extraordinary partnership of specialization and experience.   This partnership provides continuity and synergy that is instrumental in achieving optimum recovery.  Hip fractures can be a potentially disabling and life threatening, especially in the elderly.  The team at Kate Dishman offers the expertise, experience and commitment to help you reach your full potential.

Diseases like arthritis degrade joints in the hip, knee or shoulder.  Replacing the joint can improve quality of life and add years of pain-free mobility, but it is a major surgical procedure that needs careful post-surgical care.  Rehabilitation can be the difference in a total recovery.

The Kate Dishman joint replacement rehabilitation program is specifically designed to address:

• Strengthening the repairing bone around the replaced joint
• Maintain muscles strength and conditioning
• Pain management during recovery and therapy
• Improve range of motion and dexterity

Multiple trauma is a multiple injuries sustained during the same event such as an accident, fall, assault, etc.  Rehabilitation helps patients achieve the maximum independence.

Kate Dishman is committed to reaching optimal recovery of traumatically injured patients.  Our experienced teams of professionals offer extensive, comprehensive rehabilitation programs for patients recovering from traumatic conditions such as closed head, spinal cord and multi-trauma/multi-system injuries.  The team at Kate Dishman provides each patient with an individualized plan of care based on their specific rehabilitation needs.

Many illnesses target the nervous system, affecting mobility, speech and skill, just as in stroke. Rehabilitation can serve a vital purpose in treating and improving symptoms.

Kate Dishman’s team approach to rehabilitation is ideal for specialized neurological needs. Therapy is an important factor toward full recovery, assisting patients and caregivers cope with:

• Infections, including meningitis, encephalitis and polio
• Degenerative neurological illness, like Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s, ALS and Alzheimer’s
• Trauma and neuromuscular issues, like Bell’s palsy, carpal tunnel syndrome, muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barré syndrome and tumors
• Headache, seizure disorders and dizziness

Neurological disorder rehabilitation treatments

Treatment programs help patients modify the disease course by managing symptoms and improving function and safety. Balance, mobility, energy and more can be restored by following a rehabilitation plan designed to strengthen and loosen muscles and reduce pain. Patients in the neurological rehabilitation program at Kate Dishman learn how to control symptoms and reduce the risk of future medical problems.  Our program:

• Provides training in self-care, mobility, nutrition, communication, cognition, socialization and general wellness
• Helps patients manage the disease through proper use of medications, rest and activity
• Teaches fall prevention and mobility strategies to maximize safe mobility
• Assists in transition to home and community while providing appropriate support services
• Provides patient and family disease education and home programs to increase safety, muscle strength, flexibility and function