Getting back on your feet after major surgery can be a challenge. For patients who have had a hip or knee replaced, physical therapy can become boring.
Roxanne Stein shows us how therapy for these patients at one local hospital has taken an interactive approach.
After years of being active George Meada ended up not having one, but knee replacement surgery for both of his knees-
George Meada: "I try to block out the pain and forget it's there."
To get back on his feet as quickly as possible, rehab at JFK medical center in Atlantis is intense.
George Meada:: "You're put on a machine in bed you're laying there and all you can do is watch the knee move."
Boring, but a necessary part of rehabilitation.
Now, rehab includes 'Wii-hab!" Wii is the newest tool to get patients who have had hip and knee replacement surgery back on their feet, faster.
Physical therapist assistant Denise McNamara says patients play different Wii programs, depending on the surgery.
Denise McNamara: "Patients are getting better, stronger, we're getting them out of the hospital faster and back home to their own environment..it's been great." "Visual technology has been shown to help surgery patients in their recover but because of the competitive nature of people you get enough engaged in the game and that helps the mind and body and speeds up the entire recovery."
"With feedback they can see it now, it's more of a game, its more fun, more competitive, they can watch what they are doing and see the instant results and they don't get bored easily." "His knees will get stronger faster he'll be able to do more activities."
George is happy to be on the fast track to recovery. "I think it's great that they can have me up 2 days after the operation and have me doing something like that."
"Wii-habilitation" is included in the regular rehabilitation program at JFK so it is covered by insurance.
JFK is one of just a few hospitals in this area integrating 'Wii-hab' in to its regular rehab program.
