COVID-19, or coronavirus, is placing unprecedented pressures on our healthcare system. Thanks to the Emergency Department, ICU, and inpatient teams, thousands of patients are successfully recovering. Surely a moment to celebrate! However, hospital discharge is not the ultimate destination.

Whether you recovered in the hospital or in your own home, COVID-19 can create lasting side effects, even after your body fights off the virus. Common post-COVID-19 symptoms include fatigue, weakness, poor mobility, and difficulty breathing. The good news is physical therapy can help.

The severity of side effects varies significantly. Just as some people do not feel the effects of the virus when it is active, many recover fully without the need for rehabilitation afterwards. For some, however, they would benefit from skilled therapy services. To ensure a smooth transition from the hospital to home, and the ability to safely and effectively resume your daily work and hobbies, PT Solutions is uniquely prepared to guide post-COVID-19 patients through the next phase of their recovery.

PT Solutions offers:

• One-on-one care with a licensed Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, and Speech-Language Pathologist
• A comprehensive evaluation and personalized plan of care based on the individual needs of each patient
• Healing and welcoming treatment facilities that are held to the same high standards for cleanliness, PPE utilization, and disinfection as our hospital partners

How will PT Solutions help with recovery from COVID-19?

• Aerobic training to improve cardiovascular and pulmonary health
• Strength training to restore lost muscle and strength
• Endurance training to reduce fatigue and promote participation in pre-COVID activities
• Balance training to reduce fall risk
• Monitoring vital signs (blood pressure, oxygen levels, heart rate, respiration rate) as the intensity level of activity increases to reduce risk of progressing to quickly at home or in the community

Patient Success Story – Meet Ms. Vickie

The power of therapy is truly harnessed when our practice can provide continuity of care and treat a patient through all three rehabilitation settings: acute care, inpatient rehab and outpatient physical therapy! Ms. Vickie, a grandmother in New Orleans, fell ill with COVID-19 and spent 30 days with the doctors and nurses at our partner hospital Tulane Medical Center. Ms. Vickie’s story was even featured on the local news!

In acute care, she was able to gain the strength to be removed from the ventilator. At inpatient rehab, she worked to gain independence spending three hours each day for two weeks with speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists. Thanks to her dedication and hard work, Ms. Vickie is back home and continuing her therapy with the outpatient team at PT Solutions of Metairie.

Jessie Otis, Clinic Director of Tulane Inpatient Rehab, said, “It’s so nice for inpatient therapists to see their patients all the way through their continuum of care. Too often we don’t get to see their final outcomes.” When asked about her time in therapy, Ms. Vickie said, “You all treated me so well while I was in the hospital and rehab, I can’t begin to thank you enough. My time in therapy has been tremendously awesome. You gave me the will, the power, and the tools to motivate myself to get better.”

Recently, Jessie ran into her former patient at the Metairie clinic. “She’s no longer using an assistive device and is running circles around everyone. Ms. Vickie is so grateful to the entire team, and was just so funny going through all her new exercises with me. It made me tear up a bit.” Jessie said.

If you or someone you know could benefit from physical, occupational or speech therapy following their COVID-19 recovery, request an appointment below.