Off balance?
How much is too much

How much off balance is too much off balance? That's a question more easily answered now in Rehab Services, where the new Smart Balance Master® System provides quantitative assessment of patients with balance and dizziness deficits.

The Smart Balance Master® System was installed in early May in the former Speech Therapy room across from the Rehab reception area. The system provides computerized objective data that is used to assess a patient's ability to utilize visual, somatosensory and vestibular cues to maintain their balance. St. Mary's is the only hospital in Green Bay to offer this system.

"We originally saw this system as an ENT (inner ear) tool for people with dizziness problems, but now we see that there is so much of an orthopaedic application," commented Rehab Supervisor Ellen Linskens.

Every year, one-third to one-half of the population age 65 and over experiences a fall, and half of those people fall repeatedly. Although 25 percent of hip fracture patients make a full recovery, about half require a cane or walker. The Smart Balance Master® System can be utilized to improve percentages such as this in conjunction with a physical therapy program.

The Smart Balance Master® System has numerous implications for both the assessment and treatment of patients with weight bearing and weight shifting challenges. Specifically, patients who have a leg fracture, surgery or injury are challenged with returning to full weight bearing on their affected side. The Smart Balance Master® System provides visual feedback during their rehabilitation regarding the percentage of weight bearing and their ability to shift their weight.

Based on the results of tests performed with the Smart Balance Master® System, a physical therapy program can be developed to assist the patient in correcting their deficiency. A physician referral is required for an evaluation.