Rehabilitation Medicine Flashcards
What is the key principle of rehabilitation medicine?
To enable people to function at the highest possible level despite physical impairment.
Which are the main groups which are involved in the rehabilitation of a patient?
Medics Nurses Physiotherapists Occupational Therapy Rehabilitation engineers (produce prosthesis etc)
What is meant by the term assistive technology?
An umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities.
Examples include: prosthesis, wheelchairs, adapted cars, specialist cutlery etc.
Outline the principles of lower limb amputation?
Aim to do it as low as possible as will require the patient to use less energy to walk with a prosthetic limb.
Considerably more energy is used in above knee amputations.
Decision regarding where to amputate is based on how much tissue is viable.
What are the different types of lower limb amputations?
Partial foot amputation: amputation of one or more toes
Ankle disarticulation: amputation of the foot at the ankle
Below knee amputation: transtibial amputations below the knee.
Through the knee (rarely done)
Above the knee.
What is the REPAIR screen?
It is a mnemonic used in rehabilitation which helps you think about all the different aspects of care.
Review of pathology/impairment Environment Participation in Activities Important other people Risk and prevention
What are the main phases of a normal gait?
Heel strike
Stance phase
Toe off
Which tool can be used to objectively assess patients gait?
GARS: Gait Abnormality Rating Scale
What are the DVLA rules with regard to driving with a disability?
The patient must inform the DVLA of any disability.
They must not drive until they have heard back from them, typically takes 6 weeks.
DVLA may decide to renew the license, speak to the doctor for more information, only let them drive in adapted cars or revoke the license.
What are the different scales used to measure disability/
ASIA impairment scale
Barthel Index
Describe how to prevent pressure ulcers?
Ensuring patients that have difficulty moving positions have specialist cushions which help distribute there weight to avoid pressure points.
If patients are unable to move themselves regularly repositioning them.
Ensure they have access to toilet facilities as wet clothing can predispose to ulcers forming.
Describe the general measures used in managing neurogenic bladder?
Monitor renal function.
Consider the use of absorbent products to protect skin.
If patient can store normal amounts of urine, techniques can be taught to trigger voiding (suprapubic pressure).
Intermittent or long term catheterisation.
