The Virginian Rehabilitation Department is very proud of its many success stories in helping residents or patients improve their quality of life and increase their independence. Below are a few of our shining stars.

Ann S. - Return from Double Knee Replacements

Ann S. underwent bilateral (double) knee replacements after months of progressive pain limiting her ability to walk and enjoy her usually active lifestyle. She made this decision after minimal improvement in her pain with medications and outpatient therapy treatments, and with the strong urging of her orthopedist. Following her hospital stay, Ann was admitted to Dogwood Terrace, the Virginian's skilled rehabilitation and nursing unit. Her intensive program included therapeutic exercises to restore strength and motion; gait training to normalize her walking pattern; massage techniques to reduce pain; swelling; and mobilize scar tissue, and cold packs for pain relief. A continuous passive motion (CPM) machine was used during the afternoon and evening hours to help retain the motion gains during therapy sessions. When Ann progressed to the point of returning home to her own apartment, she was scheduled for outpatient physical therapy to continue the effort to return to her active lifestyle. The exercise program was extensive, but the end result was her ability to once again enjoy outings with her family, without the pain she had experienced before surgery and therapy.

Lawrence S. - From feeding tube to fried steak with VitalStim®

Lawrence was admitted to The Virginian for rehab after sustaining a severe stroke. He was paralyzed on the left side of his body and could not eat or drink any foods or liquids. He received all of his nutrition from a feeding tube and underwent intensive swallowing treatment from speech therapy, so that he could hopefully one day eat again. Lawrence was in speech therapy for two months and still could not safely swallow. He was put on a functional maintenance program to give him more time with trained rehab aides to strengthen his swallow muscles with selected exercises. After a month of this, he was given another swallow test which indicated he could begin eating a pureed and thickened liquid diet. Speech therapy again reinitiated intensive therapy and introduced a new therapy, called VitalStim®. Over the next few months, Lawrence was taken off the feeding tube while participating in a Speech Pathologist guided Rehab Dining Program and gradually advanced to a regular diet with thin liquids. Lawrence now enjoys eating chicken, fried steak and chocolate milk.

Linda S. - Hand Therapy after Surgery

Linda S. came to the Virginian Rehabilitation Department seeking a hand therapy specialist after hand surgery to correct a progressive deformity called a Dupuytren's contracture. The condition was limiting motion of her ring finger, and restricting such activities as gardening and using her hand for her normal daily activities. Therapy began two days after surgery. After consultation with her surgeon, the treating Occupational Therapist removed her stitches and focused on wound care and dressing changes as well as range of motion exercises. A customized hand splint was made to maintain proper positioning of the hand between therapy treatments. As the surgical site healed, additional activities such as deep massage to the scar area, gentle strengthening exercises, and a home exercise program were begun. Linda continued to wear her splint to prevent new contractures. She now has full use of her hands and is able to enjoy driving her car, spring gardening, and all of her previous activities.

We are so very pleased with the quality of care our mother has recently received, not just once but twice from the Dogwood Terrace rehabilitation and nursing staff at the Virginian!!

When Mom decided to have knee replacement surgery, she knew she wanted to rehab at the Virginian. Several of her longtime friends had rehabbed at the Virginian for various reasons and highly recommended it. After a three week stay and intense Physical Therapy, Mom came home feeling much better and physically stronger!

Unfortunately, eight months later Mom suffered a stroke which left her with Aphasia. We (especially Mom!) were relieved to learn she would again be admitted to the Virginian for her recovery Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy. Due to the incredible care and guidance from the entire staff and therapists at the Virginian, Mom is back home strutting her stuff and talking up a storm!!

THANK YOU THE VIRGINIAN!
The Grateful Family of Ruth P.