BAY SHORE, NY -- The benefits of exercise at all stages of life are well documented. The one potential downside though, is that increased physical activity always carries a risk of injury that can sideline even the most athletically skilled among us. That’s one of the primary reasons a new community partnership between Southside Hospital and the Great South Bay YMCA has taken root along Long Island’s south shore.

Rehabbing Sports Injuries

“A large number of active adults develop sports-related injuries and need full rehabilitation and treatment of those injuries,” said Fred Cushner, MD, chairman of orthopedics at Southside. “The new partnership between Southside Hospital and the YMCA fulfills those goals beyond what either organization could do on its own.”
Southside provides skilled orthopedic surgeons and rehabilitation for the repair of sports-related injuries that active adults may suffer playing high contact or even low-impact sports. The Y offers supervised exercise programs in conjunction with the hospital beyond what most health insurance plans cover. “The partnership allows the recovery period to continue beyond what health plans may cover. Those patients who no longer need the skills of a therapist, but are not fully ready to return to activity can be monitored as they continue their exercise program, reducing the risk of re-injury,” said Daniel Brandenstein, MD, an orthopedic spine specialist at Southside.

The partnership grew out of the idea that some patients, even after they had completed surgery and physical rehabilitation, required additional monitoring and a more structured return to exercising before enjoying the same level of activity as they had before. “Many still need to continue their exercise regimen after the need for professional intervention and supervision in outpatient-based rehabilitation ends,” said Jim Megna, director of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Southside. “The question was, ‘how do we best accomplish this?’”

Southside Hospital and the Great South Bay YMCA Partner in Rehabilitation of Sports Injuries. The new partnership grew out of the idea that some patients, even after they had completed surgery and physical rehabilitation, required additional monitoring prior to enjoying the same level of activity as they had before. Bob Pettersen, associate executive director of the Great South Bay YMCA, had the answer. “The partnership between the Y and Southside Hospital makes such perfect sense. Southside’s a community hospital and we’re a community health and wellness organization,” Mr. Petersen said. “We’re physically close to one another and we complement each other’s services. When patients no longer have rehab visits covered by their health insurance – a place like the community Y is a good referral. It’s less expensive than a gym membership or out-of-pocket rehabilitation costs and we provide the link with the hospital’s clinicians.”

Close Monitoring

Through this partnership, YMCA trainers will coordinate with the physicians, physiatrists and rehabilitation specialists at Southside to see where people are in their rehabilitation process, and structure their exercise regimen with physician or physiatrist input so patients can safely progress back to optimum health. “The rehabilitation therapists and physicians at Southside will periodically follow up with the patients and assess their progress at the YMCA,” Mr. Pettersen explained. “It’s an innovative approach and an excellent program that’s all done in the spirit of community.”

Most health plans cover rehabilitation when there is a need for the expertise of a licensed therapist. Once a patient is able to perform an exercise program independently, or if the patient levels off in their recovery, insurers will usually terminate coverage for therapy services. But patients still need to continue to exercise their injured knee, ankle hip, shoulder or whatever part of the body they are rehabilitating. “They need to continue exercising, but do it in a supervised manner so they don’t rush back too soon and re-injure themselves,” Mr. Megna said.

“Once an individual’s hospital stay is completed, they can return to the Y and have individualized gym programs developed with a trainer who will consult with the doctors and therapists at the hospital,” Dr. Brandenstein said. “It’s important for developing an appropriate regimen, monitoring progress, as well as, heading off any pitfalls that may occur.”

Economics Play a Role

Economics also play a role in the scenario. Once a health plan determines there is no longer a need for the skilled rehabilitation, the cost could be significant at the hospital, while monthly costs for the YMCA are far more reasonable, Mr Pettersen said. “After a patient’s health plan coverage expires, it’s expensive to pay for out -of- pocket rehab at the hospital. Patients who come here get their first month free at the Y, undergo supervised workouts where we communicate with their doctor and can continue pursuing an active lifestyle long after their rehabilitation is over.”

For more information on the Southside Hospital–YMCA partnership, contact Kerri Fontaine at Southside Hospital 631-968-3683.

Media Contact: Brian Mulligan

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