Therapeutic Services opens James Island clinicby Michael BakerPublic Relations In a continuing effort to make patient care more convenient, the Department of Therapeutic Services opened a new clinic in James Island for outpatient occupational and physical therapy. Leo Albano, outpatient team leader and physical therapist, said the August expansion will provide a superb level of accessibility for outpatients and MUSC employees. “At the new clinic, you can park your car and walk right up to the door. It’s a lot easier for post-surgical patients and patients who have trouble walking long distances,” he said. “Rather than parking in the G-lot downtown and walking across the hospital, the clinic offers them an easier way to get MUSC services, and one that’s still close to campus.” Located a block from the James Island connector, the clinic avoids the occasionally cluttered bustle of downtown Charleston, allowing staff members to operate an efficient MUSC program within the relaxed atmosphere of a private practice. The entrance sports a modern design with a spacious hallway leading to a surprisingly small waiting room. Or perhaps not so surprising. “Our waiting room is small for a reason: we understand that patients are busy and don't like to wait for treatment,” Albano said. “When patients show up for their appointments, we like to get them started right away.” The efficiency extends to scheduling as well. Upon receiving a doctor’s referral, the clinic contacts the patient and attempts to schedule an appointment within 72 hours. It also provides flexibility for MUSC employees who don’t want to use annual leave to receive treatment. “Although we’ve kept an office downtown for employee convenience, the James Island clinic is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.,” Albano explained. “That way, employees can visit us before or after their shifts. These hours are also convenient for students and the public as well.” The clinic offers programs that cover a variety of ailments. Two occupational therapists specializing in hand, wrist and elbow treatments help patients whose injuries prevent them from working or perform daily activities. The Work Conditioning program consists of two-hour sessions tailored for individuals temporarily unable to work. The program includes injury-specific manual therapy techniques, cardiovascular exercises, strengthening exercises and job-specific exercises. The program also includes a functional capacity evaluation used to monitor the extent of the injury as well as the patient’s progress. “The Work Conditioning program is a phase of the larger Work Injury Management program, which encompasses injury prevention and rehabilitation techniques tailored to each patient,” Albano said. The clinic also treats a number of Charleston’s athletes, especially those involved in high school sports. In addition to standard treatment methods, athletes undergo isokinetic testing, which measures the strength of an injured limb. “We get a lot of high schoolers who’ve injured a shoulder or knee playing
sports,” Albano said. “The referring physicians may hold the kids out of
practice until they’re 80 to 90 percent healthy, so the isokinetic test
helps us compare the injured knee’s performance to that of the healthy
knee.”
One such patient arrived for an appointment Thursday afternoon. Clint Thomas currently receives treatment to combat the effects of a torn anterior cruciate ligament (a typically devastating knee injury) and back pain. During each visit, he completes a series of active and passive therapeutic exercises. The therapy’s effectiveness has allowed Thomas to return to his rigorous lifestyle. “Clint is the poster child for what we can do here,” Albano asserted. “He walked in here on crutches this summer after his ACL reconstruction and a history of lower back pain. And now?” And now, Thomas said, he pedals an average of 25-35 miles each week and even completed a 60-mile race after four months of treatment. Soon, he hopes to begin running regularly. Thomas also set a good example for others entering the clinic. According to Albano, the therapy sessions are designed to prevent surgery, although some cases may require surgical intervention. In that case, the therapy sessions are designed to increase the patient's strength prior to an operation. “It makes a huge difference when a person enters the clinic in good shape,” he said. “The recovery period shortens, and it makes the process a lot easier for everyone.” Despite the emphasis on good health and staying in shape, he quickly added that the clinic is not a gym. “Our hallmark is a group of skilled therapists who treat each patient using hands-on techniques. We’re not going to bring someone into the clinic, throw them on a treadmill or weight machine, and tell them to exercise,” he assured. “We spend time working directly with the patient during each session.” In one example of the less exercise-oriented therapies, Albano applied electrical stimulation to Thomas’ back, which increased the muscular function of the spine and improved the healing process. “When I first came here, my back seized up a lot,” Thomas said. “This has been a big help.” Much of the training takes place in private rooms away from the main exercise area, offering patients privacy when receiving soft-tissue therapy. Realizing that physical training represents only half of the puzzle, the clinic also offers patient education. Albano and his colleagues use evidence-based physical therapy to teach patients how to manage their own care outside the clinic. “During each patient’s first visit, we teach them how to manage their conditions,” Albano said. “They learn exercises to do at home, and we teach them the proper, safe way to exercise. Our treatment plans usually last four to six weeks, but if they just want to come in and learn a few techniques to keep them healthy and pain-free, that’s fine with us, too.” In that vein, he encourages people to communicate with their physicians. “Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor about therapeutic services as soon as you feel an unusual ache or pain,” he advised. “It’s best to come in here before the pain becomes a serious problem. It might prevent a major injury.” With extended hours, cutting-edge technology, hands-on care and plenty of educational materials, the clinic offers what Albano believes are premier therapeutic services. “What really sets us apart from regular occupational and physical therapy clinics is our dedication to evidence-based practice,” he concluded. “We provide comprehensive therapy—from acute injuries through re-training for the patient’s job or sport—in a convenient location.” James Island Outpatient Occupational and Physical Therapy
Friday, Oct. 22, 2004
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