Leading-edge musculoskeletal rehabilitation

Toronto Rehab’s musculoskeletal rehab is informed by a robust, world-class research program overseen by renowned rehabilitation engineer Dr. Geoff Fernie. Advances in research are rapidly translated to the clinical setting so that patients can continually benefit from the most cutting-edge therapies, methods and equipment.

For example, Toronto Rehab recently pioneered the collaborative development of two new evidence-based models of care – one for hip fractures and the other for total joint replacement (TJR) – that have become best practices. The models enable more rapid assessment and treatment, reducing the total hospital stay while producing the same functional outcomes.

Toronto Rehab has also developed and disseminated an evidence-based model of care for hip replacements in frail elderly patients with dementia. These individuals were often excluded from rehab in the past due to potential cognitive and behavioural issues. Toronto Rehab educated more than 600 health care professionals from 35 organizations across the GTA to roll out the hip fracture new model of care.

The TJR model of care results have assisted in the doubling of capacity for this procedure, enabling a dramatic reduction in wait times. Combined, these models of care have a conservative savings estimate of approximately $17 million per year in the GTA region. The hip fracture model is currently being extended across Ontario.
Toronto Rehab Mobility researchers are currently conducting innovative research with patients in the on-site gait lab to evaluate changes in proprioception before and after joint replacement in order to improve the way treatment is delivered
Cognition researchers are also developing a state-of-the-art driver simulation program to investigate the relationships between cognitive impairment, medication and driving in order to better understand when patients are ready to return to driving

Eminent musculoskeletal rehabilitation researchers work closely with the health care team that delivers musculoskeletal rehab and are accessible for discussion with patients, families and third-party funders. Researchers include:

Dr. Susan Jaglal, Senior Scientist, Optimization of Rehabilitation System Team Leader and Toronto Rehabilitation Institute Chair at the University of Toronto, who is widely known for her work showing that fractures from minor falls in the elderly can be an early-warning sign of osteoporosis. Dr. Jaglal has also shown that exercise is an important component of osteoporosis rehab.
Dr. Katherine McGilton, Research Scientist, who is leading the charge in studying how rehabilitative practices can be enhanced to lead to better cognitive and functional patient outcomes. Specifically, Dr. McGilton investigates how dementia care and musculoskeletal rehab can be integrated to give everyone with a hip fracture access to rehab.
Dr. Stephen Perry, Adjunct Scientist, who has published and presented widely about the effects of injury- or age-related damage/deformity and footwear/orthotic therapies on the role of the foot in postural control, gait and sports

Toronto Rehab routinely provides continuing professional development events for its health care professionals to ensure that members of the health care team remain at the forefront of rehabilitation practice. (Learn more about Toronto Rehab’s Professional Education Events.

Recommend Toronto Rehab to your patients with musculoskeletal injuries and conditions so they can benefit from the remarkable outcomes that are made possible by our comprehensive, specialized, leading-edge and individualized service.

Make a referral.