While on the Children’s Orthopaedic Ward 10 it is possible that you will meet one of our occupational therapists from our team to support your rehabilitation journey and discharge from hospital.
While recovering from your injury or surgery you may require intervention to support with your functional ability i.e. moving in bed, sitting on edge of bed, standing, walking including use of the stairs, toileting, washing and dressing.
You may also require temporary loan of equipment such as wheelchairs and commodes or advice regarding transport and education.
Out-patients
If you are experiencing back pain you may be offered an out-patient appointment to be seen jointly by Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy.
During this appointment therapists will explore with you the history of your back pain, current level of function, daily routines, leisure and education.
Outcomes from this appointments may include:
- Postural management advice
- Advice on daily routines
- Home exercise programmes
- Communication with community therapy services, wheelchair services and schools.
Planned surgery
Pre-assessment
An Occupational Therapist will meet with you in pre assessment clinic to explore your level of function prior to your surgery, discuss your rehabilitation goals and establish if contact is required with community therapy services prior to your admission.
Arrangements may be made prior to your admission for loan equipment that will be required to support your discharge from hospital.
Your return to education may also be discussed.
Spinal Team
Occupational Therapy is part of the paediatric orthopaedic spinal team. The service is based at the Great North Children’s Hospital and provides specialist care across the northern region.
Children may be seen as out-patients and some children may be seen as in–patients following scoliosis surgery.
After surgery
Following spinal surgery you may be assessed by an Occupational Therapist to ensure safe discharge.
We follow a rehab pathway to progress your mobility and transfers daily.
If you are struggling to complete daily tasks following surgery your Occupational Therapist may make recommendations for intervention e.g. equipment or community therapy team referrals.
Halo – Gravity Traction
A mobile halo-gravity traction device was created at the Newcastle Hospitals through the teamwork of surgeons, the medical physics team and Occupational Therapists.
Halo-gravity traction is a method of stretching a severely curved spine to assist with optimal positioning prior to surgery. This involves a metal halo ring being fitted to the skull.
Once the halo is in place, traction can occur while you are in bed, a wheelchair or walking. Your care team will support movement and the use of traction.
Occupational Therapy will be involved with pre assessment planning, working alongside other spinal team members and medical physics to ensure the mobile halo gravity traction is available for use when you are admitted to hospital.
Your Occupational Therapist will be able to provide advice on functional tasks such as showering, sleeping, feeding, completing school work, use of halo wheelchair or walker to move around your room or the hospital.
The mobile halo traction device allows children awaiting spinal surgery for scoliosis to sit out in a chair for daily activities and mobilise while still on traction.
This is important to ensure you keep fit and well before your surgery as this can be beneficial with your recovery.
This film shares a child and his family’s experience of Halo-Gravity Traction for scoliosis
