Expert, Specialized Care – Rehabilitation Services at Sheba Medical Center

The Orthopedic Rehabilitation Department, headed by Dr. Oren Barzel, provides a number of unique surgical and rehabilitation services for a variety of conditions, including skeletal and bone injuries, amputations, diabetes-associated pain, and treatment of multi-trauma patients who present complex rehabilitation challenges.

The patient population is diverse and includes adults and young people who have been injured in road accidents or military operations. A specialized outpatient clinic provides for the needs of children with limb abnormalities, whether congenital or traumatic.

Physiotherapy provided at the Department of Orthopedic Rehabilitation focuses on bringing the patient back to maximum function following an injury. Our treatments include improving range of motion, strengthening muscles, and increasing stability and balance.

The physiotherapy team is supervised by Yael Dotan-Marom, MSc-PT, and works closely with Sheba’s innovative Motion Analysis Laboratory, as well as the Virtual Reality lab where patients can practice motor functions in a safe but realistic environment. Our advanced technology makes these futuristic services available to our patients today.

The physiotherapy team is also responsible for hydrotherapy treatments. Our large, indoor therapeutic swimming pool is available to both inpatients and outpatients, who are supervised by our trained, expert hydrotherapists at all times

In addition to prosthetic rehabilitation, the Rehabilitation Hospital at Sheba Medical Center provides advanced care of diabetic foot wounds. Diabetics often have a poor blood supply to their feet and may also experience decreased sensation in their feet. This can lead to serious wounds that are resistant to healing.

We employ both conservative and surgical methods in an attempt to heal wounds and prevent problems in the future.

These methods include outpatient and inpatient services. Some of our treatments include:

• Medical supervision by a team of doctors and nurses who specialize in rescuing limb
• The use of advanced dressings and dressing techniques
• Employing advanced technologies such as VAC dressings and the TopClosure system
• Surgical treatments if needed
• Physiotherapy to address unique needs like strength, endurance, balance, and mobility
• Custom orthotics to prevent foot ulcers and wounds
• Daily training at the Institute for Restorative Activity

Occupational therapy focuses on our patients’ personal functioning and the adaptation of their environment to their needs.

To assess their needs, patients hospitalized in the Orthopedic Rehabilitation Department undergo a functional status evaluation and a series of tests to determine their strength, range of motion, sensation, and functional values. This data, along with the nature of the patient’s injury, is then used to create a personalized treatment plan and goals.

An integral part of treatment is training in activities of daily living (ADLs). ADLs include everyday activities such as transitions from bed to wheelchair, shower and toilet transitions, entering and exiting a car, performing hygiene, and changing clothing. We also provide instructions and guidance on necessary adaptations to the patient’s home or living environment.

At Sheba Medical Center, we make use of the most advanced technologies to bring our patients world class medicine with a personal touch. These include:

• E-link – a computerized system for practicing motion ranges and strengthening using fun games.
• MediTouch – a computerized system that provides visual feedback and is operated by the patient through a glove or a brace.
• Gertner Tele-rehabilitation System – a system for upper limb training that identifies patient movements using a Kinect camera. The patient can use the system to activate games and tasks.
• Surface EMG biofeedback – a system that provides visual data reflecting muscle activity.
• Electronic muscle stimulation – to assist in muscle strengthening.