Rehab Works

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Rehabilitation is one of the areas of medicine that does not necessarily get the attention that it should but, without a doubt, a good rehab program can make a major difference in how quickly someone gets better.

We see it at all levels. In the most serious cases -- for instance, after a person suffers a stroke, a good rehab program can help people make dramatic improvements if started at the earliest and safest possible time.

A new study has found it helps even in cases of routine ankle sprains. Ankle sprains can cause acute pain and loss of function and in Britain, where a study was performed, it was found they result in over 300,000 visits to the emergency room. The numbers are significantly higher in our country.

Across the board for people who suffer an ankle sprain, 25% miss school or work more than seven days. But once again the study found that recovery was quicker in those who went to rehab faster.

Reported By Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio Medical Editor