Rehabilitation is an integral part of orthopaedics. It is our philosophy that every patient should achieve the highest possible level of functional independence. An orthopaedist’s responsibilities are not confined to the outpatient clinic and operating room, but properly extend into the therapy gym, the orthotics and prosthetics department, the home and indeed to anywhere a patient may need assistance in overcoming or compensating for residual functional impairment.

The resident is trained to work with allied health professionals in physical and occupational therapy, speech pathology, orthotics and prosthetics, adaptive seating and rehabilitation nursing. Residents learn what each of these disciplines can provide for their patients and how to appropriately prescribe rehabilitation intervention.

The Penn State Rehabilitation Center contains a 36-bed inpatient rehabilitation unit that is attached to the main hospital. This unit provides care for both adults and children. There are specialty programs in traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputee and pediatric rehabilitation. The orthopaedic service actively participates in the musculoskeletal management of these patients.

A section of the inpatient rehabilitation unit is devoted to the postoperative rehabilitation of orthopaedic patients with musculoskeletal trauma and spinal disorders as well as patients who have had joint replacements. The program is designed to maximize postoperative results. Orthopaedic residents and faculty, working with a rehabilitation specialist, continue to follow their patients through the rehabilitation process.

Rehabilitation extends into the outpatient area. The orthopaedic faculty and resident participate actively in the outpatient management of patients with neuromuscular disease, spina bifida, cerebral palsy and congenital and acquired limb deficiencies. Multidisciplinary care is provided in a large, dedicated outpatient clinic. Available specialty services include: adaptive seating, rehabilitation technology, driver training and diabetic foot care. The Rehabilitation Center also includes a full-service department of orthotics and prosthetics.

Although there is no specific clinical rotation in rehabilitation for the resident, the rehabilitation philosophy pervades the entire orthopaedic department from hand surgery to sports medicine. Residents receive both didactic and hands-on instruction in rehabilitation from orthopaedic surgeons and physician specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

For more information regarding Penn State Orthopaedics' residency training program, please email the residency program coordinator at OrthoResidency@hmc.psu.edu.