Our comprehensive program treats patients with a wide variety of conditions.

Orthopedic problems requiring rehabilitation may be simple or complex. Many sports-related injuries or simple bone fractures may require no formal rehabilitation or a few hours of physical therapy. These injuries are common, and a wide variety of healthcare facilities can help.

More serious orthopedic problems include multiple bone fractures; joint replacement surgeries; and hip, knee and pelvis fractures. These conditions have lifelong consequences and often result in a short-term disability. The road to recovery not only includes the healing of wounds, but specialized rehabilitation to make sure the affected body parts can operate at their maximum levels of function.

Magee Rehabilitation is one of a few specialized healthcare networks in the Philadelphia area that can offer orthopedic rehabilitation in both an inpatient hospital and an outpatient clinic. In fact, Magee was the first rehabilitation hospital in the region, opening in 1958. As orthopedic medicine has advanced, Magee has advanced the science of orthopedic rehabilitation.

Today's orthopedic rehabilitation program at Magee provides comprehensive rehabilitation to treat the loss of functional ability in patients with a wide variety of conditions that affect the muscles, bones and connective tissues. Inpatient and outpatient programs are offered for:

  • Arthritis
  • Hip or knee replacement
  • Hip fracture
  • Multiple fractures

Placement into inpatient, outpatient or day hospital treatment models is based on each patient's medical stability, need for nursing care, rehabilitation goals and home support system. While it is most common for orthopedic issues to be treated in our day hospital or outpatient setting, individuals with complex and active additional medical issues may require the inpatient setting. Duration of inpatient and outpatient programs varies according to individual rehabilitation needs.

The Magee care team consists of physicians, case managers, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, psychologists, recreational therapists, registered dietitians and speech therapists. Upon admission to the Orthopedic Rehabilitation Program, the care team members work together with patients and families to:

Establish rehabilitation goals;
Address current rehabilitation care needs; and
Plan for lifetime continuing care options
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INPATIENT REHABILITATION

Many patient candidates for inpatient orthopedic rehabilitation are of advanced age. Health concerns associated with aging may prevent the orthopedic surgery patient from returning home safely. These same health concerns also prevent the patient from safely participating in outpatient rehabilitation programs.

Magee has specialized in rehabilitation for the orthopedic surgery patient with other concerns such as high blood pressure, history of stroke, cardiac disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, age-related deconditioning, and/or arthritis. Of course, patients with less serious health considerations may still be appropriate for an inpatient program.

Other inpatient candidates may include younger patients with multiple bone fractures who also have additional active medical needs. Again, Magee has specialized in the rehabilitation needs associated with these unique injuries.

During inpatient orthopedic rehabilitation, each patient works to return to his or her desired level of independence through improved strength, improved joint range of motion, assisted or unassisted walking, self-care training and pain management. Team members work with patients to meet these goals while managing medical problems, gauging progress and prescribing medications, equipment and orthotic devices.

Patients enrolled in Magee's inpatient orthopedic rehabilitation program may stay as little as five full days. The length of stay for individual patients varies according to their own health and safety needs. Once inpatient goals have been reached, patients can be referred to a variety of outpatient programs, including Magee's own outpatient orthopedic rehabilitation program offered at the Magee Riverfront center in South Philadelphia.

For consideration for admission to Magee's inpatient orthopedic rehabilitation program, please call the Admissions Office at 215-587-3118.

Orthopedic Outcome Data
At Magee, we are extremely proud to report our outcome scores and share them with you here. We strive to further improve these scores and provide our patients with the care and services they need to reap the maximum rewards from rehabilitation.

PATHWAYS FOR HIP AND KNEE REPLACEMENTS

As hip and knee replacement surgeries have become more and more common, Magee has developed structured rehabilitation programs for replacement patients. Rehabilitation goals after these surgeries are often similar. Magee has plotted these goals on rehabilitation timelines known as pathways. The pathways help patients know what to expect from rehabilitation in advance, and they have a clear window of when they can expect to return home. Individual patient pathways may include counseling prior to surgery which promotes better performance in rehabilitation (i.e. muscle strengthening, weight loss). Patient pathways also include guidelines for outpatient rehabilitation. For more information on pathways for hip and knee replacements, please call the orthopedic rehabilitation program director at 215-587-3054.

OUTPATIENT REHABILITATION

The Orthopedic Rehabilitation Program at Magee Rehabilitation includes a complete outpatient component. What makes the Magee outpatient program unique is patient access to the specialized resources of the main hospital. Patients can readily access social services and durable medical equipment vendors through our case management staff. Secondary complications (i.e. injury to the healthy hip due to overuse) may be diagnosed more quickly due to the expertise of Magee's clinical staff. A complete outpatient information package is available through the Magee Riverfront Outpatient Center at 1500 South Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia. Phone 215-218-3900.

FOLLOW-UP SYSTEM OF CARE

The benefits of rehabilitation do not stop after a patient has successfully demonstrated improved function. Patients may have some form of long-term disability or simply may be of advanced age. These patients often have unique care needs. Magee's Follow-Up System of Care provides individuals and families with continued access to a rehabilitation physician and a team of expert rehabilitation professionals. This team provides a variety of services to help patients regain or maintain function. For referral into the Magee Follow-up System of Care, call 215-587-3144.

Orthopedic Injury

Programs & Resources

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a gradual thinning and weakening of bones, which leads to bone fractures.

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Health and Wellness Center

Programs are geared toward promoting healthy and active lifestyles.

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Magee Lifetime Follow-up Clinic

A unique program providing patients and families with continued access to a rehabilitation physician and a team of experts to help maintain good health.

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Rehab Physician Evaluation

Magee Physiatrists are available to discuss and design a rehabilitation program that best meets the individual lifestyle and goals of each person served.

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