Final answer:
Acute care physical therapy services involve assessment of joint functionality, personalized exercise plans, and applications of heat and cold to manage inflammation, geared towards restoring normal physical activity levels. Physical therapists, with advanced degrees, create tailored plans to facilitate recovery and provide detailed feedback to physicians on patient progress.
Step-by-step explanation:
Physical therapy (PT) services in acute care settings are tailored to patients with a range of injuries and recovery needs. When a patient injures their shoulder, for example, a physical therapist will start by assessing the functionality of the joint, examining the range of motion through actions like abduction, adduction, circumduction, flexion, and extension of the arm. An appropriate physical therapy plan is then created.
Acute care PT services often begin with applying a heat pack to the injured site to enhance healing by drawing blood to the area. This is followed by a series of exercises that the patient is instructed to continue at home. To manage inflammation and swelling, icing is recommended post-exercise, a practice that continues for several weeks. As recovery progresses, the PT conducts an exit exam and provides a detailed report on improvements to the patient's doctor, including the increased range of motion and the return to normal limb function.
Throughout the process, PTs, who have a master's degree or doctorate and specialize in body movement mechanics, work closely with patients to help restore their normal level of physical activity, often focusing on areas such as sports injuries. This patient-centred approach ensures that each individual receives personalized care geared towards their specific rehabilitation goals in the acute care environment.