In Good Health - Winter 2012 - Fairview - (Page 13)

Nurtured back t health New rehabilitation hospital helps greenhouse supervisor recover from serious disorder Sharon Garrett went to bed in January with symptoms of a cold, but when she woke up, she couldn’t move. “I was paralyzed from my nose down,” says the 50-year-old. Garrett was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a serious disorder caused when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks part of the nervous system. GBS can lead to nerve inflammation that causes muscle weakness and, in severe cases, paralysis. While there is no cure for GBS, Garrett’s six-week hospitalization included treatments to provide supportive care, reduce symptoms, manage complications and speed up recovery. Garrett improved enough to begin therapy to strengthen her weakened muscles at the newly opened Cleveland Clinic Rehabilitation Hospital at Lakewood Hospital. The 35-bed facility is designed for patients who need intensive rehabilitation following serious events such as stroke, spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury, as well as major illness, surgery or trauma. Here, physicians specializing in rehabilitative medicine oversee patient care and work directly with consulting physicians, nurses, social workers/case managers, occupational, physical, recreational therapists, and speech/language pathologists. The unique hospital setting provides on-site physician access 24/7, and physicians from all major medical specialties are also available on-site for consultation. Garrett’s physician, Carey Miklavcic, DO, Cleveland Clinic Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, worked with the rehab team to create a plan of care unique to her situation. “Although recovery can be slow, most people who are diagnosed with GBS can obtain good functional recovery,” says Dr. Miklavcic. Physical therapist Katie Mangan says Garrett was initially nervous. “I think she was still trying to process what had happened to her,” says Mangan. While Mangan worked on strengthening and functional activities with Garrett’s lower extremities, occupational therapist Danielle Constantine concentrated on her upper extremities and self-care. “Her limbs were extremely weak,” says Mangan. “She couldn’t get in and out of bed, and she was not able to stand without assistance.” However, Constantine adds that Garrett “was very motivated.” Garrett’s therapy regimen consisted of sessions that lasted at least three hours a day, five days a week, with additional therapy on the weekends. Remarkably, she made enough strides that she could be discharged home independently after only 20 days. After her discharge, Garrett received home therapy, followed by outpatient therapy as well as regular follow-ups with Dr. Miklavcic. Garrett was then back to work as a greenhouse supervisor on May 9. “I do a lot of lifting and pulling of racks at work,” says Garrett. “I really have come a long way since January.” Carey Miklavcic, DO Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialty interests: Spasticity, musculoskeletal medicine, osteopathic manipulation, electromyography, sports medicine and wound care A CheCklist to Choose A RehAb FACility Choosing an inpatient rehabilitation facility can be difficult. Use our checklist at lakewoodhospital.org/rehabhospital to help you make your decision. you know? did Cleveland Clinic Rehabilitation and Sports Therapy offers outpatient rehab at more than 40 locations throughout Northeast Ohio. Visit clevelandclinic.org/rehabsportstherapy for locations near you. in Good heAlth i 13 http://www.lakewoodhospital.org/rehabhospital http://www.clevelandclinic.org/rehabsportstherapy

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of In Good Health - Winter 2012 - Fairview

In Good Health - Winter 2012 - Fairview
Contents
Give birth your way-midwives are ready to help
Could you have an irregular heartbeat?
Truck driver steers his heath back on track
Doing it her way
Don't fall for these eight myths about back problems

In Good Health - Winter 2012 - Fairview