Ask a PT

156 Posts
 
Posted - 08/27/2007 :  13:30:22  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Our user asked: "I am a studen PT, I wanted to know if you can send me a link or a list of all impairments and functional limitations of a patient 2 days following CABG and is admitted to an inpatient PT dept. at an acute care facility. Its an extra credit thing I want to do."

Ask a PT Response: "A person 2 days s/p CABG may require skilled physical therapy services for bed mobility (supine<>sit), transfer training (sit<>stand), toilet transfers (sit<>stand) and gait training. Therapeutic exercises to help maintain strength, range of motion and endurance are usually required as well. Precautions can vary after the surgery depending on the surgeon and the surgery but usually consists of no pushing, pulling, reaching or lifting (nothing heavier than a gallon of milk- about 8lbs). It is of the utmost importance that the therapist protects and educates the patient properly so that the surgery and surgical incision site is not compromised with performing the aforementioned activities. ADL training usually takes place a few days after the surgery as well. The minimal time a patient should abide by these precautions is usually about one month. Again this can vary depending on the patient, surgery and surgeon. I hope this helps. Thanks for using CyberPT."

se4

4 Posts
 
Posted - 08/28/2007 :  19:44:13  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Healthcare providers should definitely protect the sternum. Expected symptoms after the surgery can include: discomfort along the incision site for 3-4 wks, numbness along leg incision for 3-4 months, weakness and fatigue for about 2-4 weeks, upper back discomfort, decreased appetite & night sweats.

Some useful links:
http://www.cpmc.org/learning/documents/rg-cabg-hospital.html

http://www.unchealthcare.org/site/Nursing/nurspractice/pathways/std_care/stcrl23.pdf

http://www.rehabnurse.org/ce/030499/open.htm