Recovering from an injury, surgery or replacement often involves extensive rehabilitation that has to start as quickly as possible. However, many patients are not ready for the stress of an extensive exercise regimen. That is where the Biodex Unweighing System® comes in.

The Biodex Unweighing System, which is in place at the Outpatient Rehabilitation Care Centers on the Brunswick and Camden campuses, allows a patient to put less weight on his or her injuries while performing rehabilitative exercises in a safe, secure, upright position. >>

Bolingbrook resident Richard Bonham, 72, was enjoying his retirement, including working on projects at his home workbench. But his comfortable routine was interrupted on March 17, 2012, when a stroke impaired his ability to walk, the use of his left arm and his vision. He also suffered several fractured bones during subsequent falls.

After stints as an inpatient at a couple of rehabilitation facilities, Bonham continued his rehab in October as an outpatient at Edward Hospital.

“Happily, my vision had vastly improved, but I had to learn to walk again,” he said.

Bonham’s timing was good – Edward’s Rehabilitation Department had just installed new state-of-the-art equipment to help patients with mobility and balance issues.

“We’re one of the few area hospitals with a partial body weight support system to help patients re-learn to walk,” according to Karen Granato, PT, ATC, OCS, Edward’s Director of Rehabilitation Services. “This involves hooking the patient into a harness suspended from a ceiling track, which runs over the treadmill and around the room. The therapist controls how much weight the patient needs to bear, making it easier to walk.”  >>

The Dell Rapids Community Hospital Foundation is buying new physical therapy equipment for Avera Dells Area Hospital.

The foundation recently approved the purchase of a Biodex Balance System.

The Biodex Balance System SD is a balance testing and training tool that helps a wide range of patients, from athletes to older adults. Using the system, therapists are able to assess fall risk and then recommend exercises to help improve balance, agility and muscle tone. Other applications include screening athletes for single-leg injuries, concussion management and wellness or fitness activities. >>

Biodex Medical Systems Inc., will continue their partnership with the Foundation for Physical Therapy’s Partners in Research Program as Bronze Level Sponsor. The Partners in Research program recognizes corporate donors and sponsorships that support the Foundation’s mission to provide doctoral scholarships, fellowships, and research grants to emerging physical therapist researchers. >>

The Valley Hospital Sports Institute in Ridgewood, NJ recently enhanced its Concussion Management Program with the addition of the Biodex Biosway Balance testing unit. The test takes about 5 minutes and provides a psycho-motor assessment of concussion injuries. Athletes should be tested in the preseason to gather baseline information that can be used for comparison in the event of a concussion to assess the extent of the injury and the athlete’s readiness to return to activity. >>