Trauma Orthopaedics
What is the Trauma and Orthopaedic Physiotherapy
Service?
The Trauma and Orthopaedic Physiotherapy service is a group of
experienced paediatric physiotherapists who see patients on the
wards after an orthopaedic procedure, fracture, injury or
joint/bone infection that affects their mobility and/or joint range
of movement.
What physiotherapy might involve
The physiotherapist will be asked to see patients on the ward if
they struggling with mobility or have a problem with a specific
joint such as a knee, ankle or hip. The patient will be seen by an
experienced physiotherapist to go through a detailed assessment on
which to base an appropriate treatment plan. This may consist
of:
- Advice and education - they will advise on any specific
protocols/restrictions that need to be followed as well as
positioning to optimise recovery. They also give advice on how to
manage at home whilst the patients' mobility is restricted and
provide guidance on returning to school/activities.
- Mobilisation - they will help to get patients moving and
provide them with any walking aids that may be required to enable
them to mobilise safely. This will very much depend on the size,
age and abilities of the child. If a child has stairs at home, they
will need to practice going up and down the stairs before they are
discharged to ensure they can manage this safely.
- Exercise programme - these will be provided to do on the ward
to prevent any restrictions developing in joint range of movement
and muscle weakness. This may need to be continued at home.
- Referral on to other services - such as the occupational
therapists and local physiotherapy teams.
Will we see everybody who has an orthopaedic
problem?
Not all patients will need physiotherapy as an inpatient. Some
patients are able to mobilise safely without requiring assessment.
Other children may not require physiotherapy as an inpatient but
may require physiotherapy input later on down the line such as
upper limb fractures/surgery or following removal of casts. In
these cases, patients will be referred to their local physiotherapy
service by the orthopaedic doctors in clinic.
How are patients referred to the trauma and orthopaedic
physiotherapists?
The nursing staff on the ward, the major trauma team and the
doctors can contact the physiotherapist either via the main
physiotherapy department or via a bleep. Some patients for example
those who are booked in for elective surgery may already be known
to the physiotherapy team.
Contacts
Physiotherapy Main Reception - 01173428525
Useful Links
Orthopaedics at Bristol Children's Hospital
