Rehabilitation Therapies

We offer physical, speech and occupational therapies as part of inpatient and outpatient rehabilitative care on our campus, along with specialty rehabilitative therapies for conditions like lymphedema.

Location

Pawnee Valley Community Hospital
923 Carroll Avenue, Larned, KS 67550

620-285-8605

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Physical, Occupational, Speech and Specialty Therapies

Our inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation therapies at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital include physical, occupational and speech therapy, with caring staff committed to giving our patients the best, personalized care possible. We also offer specialized therapy for conditions like lymphedema.

For more information or to schedule an appointment for rehabilitative therapy, please call 620-285-8605.

Physical Therapy

Our experienced physical therapists provide comprehensive one-on-one care to patients with many different types of disorders or illnesses that limit their daily activities, including:

Orthopedic and sports injuries
Pain in the neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, back, hip, knee, ankle or foot
Mobility impairment
Post-surgical rehabilitation
Headaches
Dizziness
Muscle weakness
Splinting/bracing of wrist and hand
Foot orthotics
Stroke
Arthritis pain
Astym
Lymphedema therapy
Swallowing disorders
Speech impairments/communication
Cognitive impairments

Occupational Therapy

Pawnee Valley Community Hospital offers occupational therapy to help patients achieve a level of independence in their lives despite their condition. Services provided include upper extremity rehabilitation for:

Shoulder, elbow, wrist or hand pain
Arthritis
Tendonitis or tendon injuries
Rotator cuff injuries
Chronic pain conditions
Sports related injuries such as fractures and dislocations, strains and sprains
Carpal tunnel
Elbow rehabilitation
Postoperative rehab of the shoulder
Wrist or hand surgery
Splinting and bracing of the wrist and hand

Speech Therapy

Speech therapy can treat all adult or childhood speech disorders, as well as adult speech or swallowing impairments caused by stroke, brain injury or other conditions. Speech therapy assesses and treats communication issues and speech disorders and can help patients develop or redevelop skills like sound production, clarity and fluency. Our Speech Language Pathologist works with patients who are experiencing problems with:

Speech Impairments/Communication
Cognitive Impairments
Swallowing Disorders

Lymphedema Therapy

Lymphedema is swelling of a body part (face, neck, trunk, genitals, arms, legs, etc.) caused by an abnormal accumulation of lymph fluid. Lymphedema is caused by an imbalance between the normal amount of lymph fluid and reduced capacity that the vessels are able to transport. This results in an accumulation of protein-rich fluid.

There are several different types of Lymphedema, including:

Primary Lymphedema – Resulting from imperfect development of the lymph vascular system, edema may be present at birth or develop later in life. This type occurs more in females than in males.

Secondary Lymphedema – This type of lymphedema may be the result of surgery and/or radiation for cancer, filariasis, trauma, infection, chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) or obesity.

Are you at risk?

Lymphedema most commonly follows a surgical procedure in which there has been removal of or damage to the lymph nodes or vessels. If you have been exposed to any of the following procedures or situations, you may be at risk for developing lymphedema.

Symptoms of Lymphedema

At the beginning, you may notice swelling in your hand or foot. A ring may seem tighter or shoes may fit more snugly. Sometimes you may sense a feeling of “pins and needles” or “heaviness” in the affected arm or leg, which may be accompanied by arching pain.

Unusual or persistent swelling in an extremity should always be evaluated by a physician. You may experience swell as:

Full sensation of the limb
Skin feeling tight
Decreased flexibility
Swelling in a specific area

In severe cases, you may experience the following symptoms of lymphedema-related swelling:

Thickening /hardening of skin
Infections
Leakage of lymph
Massive swelling

Early diagnosis and treatment of lymphedema offers the best chance for reversing and/or controlling the condition. When lymphedema goes untreated, the lymph vessels and surrounding tissue become harder and less elastic. Substantial and painful swelling may result.

Lymphedema itself can cause infection. When lymph fluid accumulates in the tissues of a limb, the protein-rich fluid creates a favorable environment for growth of bacteria.

Treating Lymphedema

We provide the most up-to-date treatment available called Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT). It consists of:

Manual lymph drainage (MLD)
Compression Therapy
Exercises
Skin and nail care
Instructions on self care

CDT is the most successful treatment for chronic lymphedema. Primary and secondary lymphedema and other related conditions respond extremely well to this gentle non-invasive and highly effective therapy.

Lymphedema Precautions

Patients with lymphedema should always take the following precautions:

Avoid blood draws or blood pressure cuffs on an affected limb
Lead a healthy lifestyle including heart healthy diet and exercise
Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures both hot and cold
Use care with rings, watches, bracelets, which can be constrictive
Use sunscreen to minimize dangerous skin exposure
Be aware that infections can result from insect bites, manicures, pedicures, skin punctures, cuts, pet scratches, gardening, etc.

Special travel precautions: Lymphedema patients should always wear compression garments or bandages when traveling. On plane trips over one hour, it is suggested that you get up and move around in the aisles as much as possible. In a car, stop and walk around for a few minutes every hour.

Is there a cure for Lymphedema?

Presently there is no cure for lymphedema. Effective management of lymphedema symptoms like swelling is possible through clinical treatment, education and individual efforts at home. This is a comprehensive and effective treatment for people suffering from lymphedema. You can feel good again. Our staff of caring professionals can help you get back on track.