Orthopedic Rehabilitation System

The Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Department at Sheba Hospital is at the front line in treating patients, dealing with individuals who have suffered complex limb injuries, directly admitted from the field. These patients are often suffering from poor blood supply, among other issues. The department also treats patients referred from other departments after receiving initial treatment.

We also treat patients who have undergone multiple spinal surgeries, children with congenital defects in the musculoskeletal (movement) system, and more.

The department stands out because it has both a surgical team and a rehabilitation team working together - a setup that's unique in Israel and fairly uncommon worldwide. The concept of rehabilitative surgery, achieved through collaboration between orthopedic surgeons and physical medicine specialists, sets it apart. The department is supported by skilled nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers, communication clinicians, and more.

The Department of Orthopedic Rehabilitation performs all hospital amputations and provides consultations to medical institutions throughout the periphery. Hospitals from across the country often refer many patients to it.
 

Rehabilitative surgery

Unlike other surgical departments, the orthopedic rehabilitation department focuses on surgeries that aim to restore optimal function to the patient. The team in this department emphasizes that the success of a surgery is determined by its ability to restore the body's functional capacity, regardless of the technique used. They believe that the outcome of each surgery performed in the department should be evaluated based on its final result.

Additional Treatments

Sheba's Orthopedic Rehabilitation Department is the first in the country to use new vacuum technology for wound care. This technology works by extracting  fluids from wounds, which helps minimize them and accelerate healing. It is primarily used for treating diabetic ulcers and pressure sores.

Research projects

The Orthopedic Rehabilitation Department at Sheba participates in a range of research studies conducted by Tel Aviv university, in partnership with faculty members.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, our department has conducted a survey among amputees with traumatic histories within the department based on previous findings that found that traumatic amputation poses a risk for cardiovascular diseases.
A detailed study currently underway is investigating the shared genotype of individuals with chronic pain syndrome, focusing on over a thousand people with trauma-related amputations.