Best Rehab Cntr. in NY & CT area?

[Quadzila@optonline.net]

Hello everyone,
I may be going for some inpatient therapy for, as one doc put it "a tune up". I am a C-4 Quad with some use of my left arm and hand but that's getting weaker due to the progression of my injury. I've also lost a lot of trunk strength and my legs are so tight I can no longer straighten them. I used to have a lot of leg spasms which left my legs with good range of motion but after an intrathecal pump implant in January of '06 my legs became very tight because the pump had stopped the spasms and I didn't get myself enough physical therapy to keep them loose. I'd kick myself for this if my legs weren't so damned tight!

I spoke with an orthopedic surgeon who said the only way I could get my legs completely straight would be through some sort of tendon lengthening surgery. I don't believe this as the few hours of home PT I do get each week do help increase my range, if only a little bit. In a few weeks I'll be admitted into a hospital for a trial to have my pump medication is changed, My doctor wants to keep an eye on me during this change in medications. After that, I hope to be admitted into Burke rehabilitation in White Plains New York, Mount Sinai's rehab unit in New York City or Gaylord Hospital in Wallingford Connecticut. Can anyone provide information on these and which you feel is best? I did have a short stay at Gaylord Hospital a while back and feel it's a good hospital but am wondering how it compares to the other two.

Any info you can provide is greatly appreciated!.

[SCI-Nurse]

I would recommend either Kessler in NJ or Mt. Sinai in NYC.

(KLD)

[wheeliecoach]

Gaylord Hospital in Wallingford, CT is really good too. My fiance was there after his motorcycle accident (T-7 complete and brain injury), and did really well. Other friends of mine have been in there for rehab after hospitalizations. My doctors are through them...and I have been quite satisfied.

[Liz321]

Burke in White Plains?

[sjean423]

I can't comment on in patient, but I have been very happy with outpatient at Hospital for Special Care in New Britain. I was inpatient there only a few days after I had my baclofen pump put in. I was satisfied with them then as well.

[Nancy E]

My son was inpatient and out patient in Burke. We were very happy with the PT there. People were nice, social workers and other staff good, facility was clean, has a pool, grounds were beautiful, food was fine. Would reccommend it. Never been to Mount Sinai for PT. Our urologist is on staff at the SCI rehab, It is a SCI model facility. Good Luck.

[Nancy E]

Just to clarify MS is the model not Burke.
Also noticed you're in Greenwich, my husband works in Greenwich it was not a long ride to Burke. That was a consideration for us.

[Quadzila@optonline.net]

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to try to get into Mt. Sinai, I've met w/Dr. Ragnarsson several times in the past, great doc. I've also done peer mentoring there a while back. If I can't get admitted to Mt. Sinai I''ll try for Burke in White Planes. Nancy, can I ask where in Greenwich your husband works? Just curious, I understand if you'd rather not say.

Thanks!

[freedomdan]

We are from Greenwich, looking for outpatient at Burke. ideas?

[cheesecake]

My suggestion would be to travel south to Shepherd Center. I am not impressed with Burke or Gaylord. Mt. SInai does a good job. Use the attached checklist to help make an objective decision. I like the Sheehy checklist.