Stroke, neurosurgery and neurology

Our service

The Neurosciences Physiotherapy team provide specialised and individualised care to patients on the stroke and neurosurgical wards (7BN & 8AS).

Our physiotherapists in these areas assess and manage:

• Breathing and clearing phlegm if required
• Physical movement including strength, balance and fitness.
• Participation in daily activities such as getting out of bed and walking safely.

Initial movements with the Physiotherapist may require hands on assistance of one to two people, mobility aids or orthoses (sling/ splint).

In some cases, neurological injury may lead to impairments such as reduced sensation, impaired vision, weakness, and stiffness. Your Physiotherapist will work with you to help improve any impairments and return to independence, with a focus on safety and quality of movement. This can include sessions in the level 7 gymnasium or the hydrotherapy pool on level 2.

Goal setting is a big part of our role, which often includes breaking down the larger goals of “going home” to daily and weekly goals e.g. By next week, you will transfer to the chair with the assistance of one person.

What to bring to hospital?

• Comfortable, closed in walking shoes
• Clothes that are comfortable for walking and exercise
• Your usual walking aid (if this is not possible, we do have walking aids available to borrow whilst you are in hospital)

Going home / Leaving hospital

Physiotherapists work closely with you, your family/support network and other health professionals to progress towards safely discharging home.

• If you are safe to go straight home, you may require community rehabilitation or outpatient physiotherapy at your local hospital. The Physiotherapist will discuss this with you prior to discharge and refer if required.
• If you are not yet safe to go home, the team may refer you to the appropriate inpatient rehabilitation facility to achieve your individual goals.

Resources

• Healthy movement after stroke
• Intensive exercise after stroke
• Neurology at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
• Neurosurgery at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital