Orthopaedic Therapy

Introduction to the team

Our Orthopaedic Therapy Team work 6 days per week. We provide comprehensive assessment and treatment for young people who have had a wide range of orthopaedic interventions following elective surgery or traumatic injury. The therapy team support patients and their families throughout their hospital journey, from pre-operative assessment until discharge.

The majority of therapy input will take place when you are staying in hospital, where the team provide initial rehabilitation, specialist advice and support, as well as helping to prepare everyone for discharge home. Any child with ongoing therapy needs are referred to their local therapy service or Sheffield Children’s Outpatient Therapy Team.

We are also a designated Major Trauma Centre for young people in our region. Two of our physiotherapists, Hannah Keable and Claire Tripathi, are Trauma Rehabilitation Co-ordinators. This role ensures that young people who are involved in a major trauma receive coordinated care throughout their rehabilitation, both in hospital and the community. Weekly trauma meetings are held to coordinate care and facilitate timely discharge. 

Find out more about our Orthopaedic surgery service.

What to expect

If you are having complex orthopaedic surgery which is expected to affect your ability to bear weight, you will be seen by a therapist at a pre-operative assessment. During this time you will be asked a number of questions that allow us to plan for your surgery and order any equipment that is necessary. This time also gives an opportunity for you as a family to gain any information that helps you to plan for the surgery ahead. Once you have had your surgery you will be seen by the Therapy Team on the ward, who will support you with the very early stages of your rehabilitation and help to prepare you for going home. If an onward referral is required for further therapy after you have been discharged, this will be organised with your local therapy team. 

Therapy

Our therapy team will see you each day on the ward after your surgery. The focus of the therapy is to make sure you are safe to go home. This may include daily exercises, positioning advice, mobility assessments, stair assessments and bathing advice. Any additional equipment can be organised for you and delivered to your home.

Our therapy room

This is our therapy room where you will see your occupational therapist or physiotherapist. You can find this room on Ward 1 next to the Teen Room.

Referrals

Referrals come from a consultant, post traumatic injury, post operatively on discharge from the ward.

Information resources

Therapy resources

Total hip replacement

What is a total hip replacement? A total hip replacement is an o...

Exercises after distal femoral extension osteotomy and patella advancement surgery

This resource has been designed to help you remember the exercis...

Managing stairs

Learning how to manage stairs may take a little time to get used...

What is Perthes disease?

What is Perthes disease? Perthes disease is a childhood disorder...

Stretches for muscles in the legs

Why do my muscles become tight? As you are growing, your body ma...

Desensitisation techniques for pain and hypersensitivity

What is desensitisation? Some people who experience persistent p...

Pacing

Everyone has different amounts of energy. You could think about ...

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) pre-surgery exercises

Introduction After an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture i...

Complication and risks of orthopaedic and limb reconstruction treatments

Children’s Orthopaedic surgery has many benefits but there...

Rehabilitation guidelines

Useful websites

• Chartered Society of Physiotherapy 
• Red Cross wheelchair hire 
• Happy Hips Service from Maxi-Cosi  
• Changing Faces
• STEPS charity