Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Backgrounder
St. John’s Rehab is the only hospital in Ontario solely dedicated to specialized rehabilitation. Our musculoskeletal rehabilitation program offers care for patients recovering from elective surgeries and complex orthopaedic conditions such as surgical procedures for fractures due to osteoporosis or a fall. Patients are referred to us from acute care hospitals throughout the Greater Toronto Area.
- The program provides extensive rehabilitation after surgery or injury. Medical specialists and health professionals help patients set individual goals for recovery, and support for their physical, social, emotional and psychological needs.
- Patients who have undergone elective joint replacements participate in an intensive inpatient rehab program for up to seven days.
- Falls prevention program provided to educate patients to reduce the risk of re-injury.
- Once discharged, patients can benefit from a seamless continuum of care by being referred to our outpatient rehabilitation program.
- Our team of rehabilitation professionals develop realistic goals and timelines with each patient and keeps in close contact with the patient and his or her family. This helps achieve maximum recovery, independence and quality of life.
- The individually customized program consists of assessment, treatment and support focused on the whole person – body, mind and spirit.
- Our highly skilled and committed multidisciplinary rehab team includes physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurses, speech-language pathologists, pharmacists, physicians, dietitians, social workers, psychologists and spiritual care.
- If appropriate, patients may receive aquatherapy in our heated indoor pool, helping them recover flexibility and strength.
- Our staff may make home visits prior to a patient’s discharge to recommend lifestyle adaptations to further assist with recovery.
- Individual or group therapy is available, which helps patients reintegrate into their community.
St. John’s Rehab musculoskeletal program patients (April 2009- March 2010)
- Total inpatient beds: 61
- Inpatients admitted: 1,407
- Outpatient visits: 9,708
- Typical length of inpatient stay: approximately two to three weeks
- Average age of patients: 75 years old
- Patients aged 55 or older: 96 per cent
- Gender of patients: 27 per cent male, 73 per cent
Canadian musculoskeletal statistics
According to the Canadian Joint Replacement Registry 2008-09 Annual Report on Hip and Knee Replacements in Canada:
- In 2006 – 2007, there were 62,196 hospitalizations for hip and knee replacements in Canada, a 101% increase over the previous ten years.
- 63% of hip replacement and 64% of knee replacement patients in 2006–2007 were aged 65 and older.
According to Statistics Canada:
- Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and is one of the leading causes of functional limitations in the elderly.
- Osteoarthritis affects 10% of Canada’s population.
- By the age of 70, osteoarthritis is present in most people.
According to Osteoporosis Canada:
- 2 million Canadians suffer from osteoporosis.
- One in four women over the age of 50 has osteoporosis.
- One in eight men over 50 has osteoporosis.
- 80% of hip fractures are osteoporosis-related. There are approximately 25,000 hip fractures in Canada every year.
- Hip fractures result in death in up to 20% of cases, and disability in 50% of cases.