Hospital for Special Surgery Publishes Rehabilitation Guidelines Book

NEW YORK—June 21, 2006

Soon everyone who needs it will be able to benefit from Hospital for Special Surgery’s high rehabilitation standards.

With the publication of Hospital for Special Surgery’s (HSS) comprehensive reference book, Postsurgical Rehabilitation Guidelines for the Orthopedic Clinician, therapists around the country will be able to follow step-by-step examples to develop their own postsurgical treatment plans. Incorporating 45 comprehensive guidelines, it is the first textbook of its kind to cover all aspects of evidence-based postsurgical rehabilitation for musculoskeletal disease.

“I believe it is the only textbook to feature 25 years of collective knowledge from a highly ranked musculoskeletal hospital like ours,” said JeMe Cioppa-Mosca, PT, MBA, assistant vice president, Department of Rehabilitation at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. “Most other available textbooks focus primarily on one area such as hands or sports. Our textbook is different. It focuses on the entire spectrum of postsurgical rehabilitation as it relates to musculoskeletal disease.”

The overlying organization of the book is based on the major orthopedic services performed at HSS. Sections include Arthroplasty, Hand, Pediatric, Spine and Sports Medicine Rehabilitation.

Postsurgical Rehabilitation Guidelines for the Orthopedic Clinician features easy-to-follow guidelines that enable practitioners and students to look up a procedure and quickly see the recommended rehabilitation strategy. Also, the clear photos and illustrations show how to correctly perform the techniques described in the book, and the phases of treatment are defined in tables that clearly show goals, precautions, treatment strategies and criteria for advancement.

Postsurgical Rehabilitation Guidelines for the Orthopedic Clinician will be formally launched at the American Physical Therapy Association annual conference on Saturday, June 24, 2006, in Orlando. 

Physical therapists, occupational therapists and athletic trainers affiliated with HSS each played an integral role in developing this valuable reference tool.

“Information was drawn from the best practices of experienced practitioners, evidenced-based research, and the most current literature in the field,” said Cioppa-Mosca. “The talents of the team of individuals with whom I have had the privilege of working day in and day out have been the inspiration for this book.”

Dr. Leon Root, medical director of the Rehabilitation Department at HSS, applauded the team under Cioppa-Mosca’s leadership. “Challenging ourselves to continually improve and excel is what HSS is all about. The textbook beautifully exemplifies this philosophy,” he noted.

A DVD accompanies the book, featuring more than 60 minutes of rehabilitative demonstrations and instructions. It shows patients receiving treatments for cerebral palsy, sports injuries, pediatric procedures and hand injuries.

View the table of contents for Postsurgical Rehabilitation Guidelines for the Orthopedic Clinician and a link to more information on the book, including an excerpt.