Degenerative disease

The term rehabilitation is often associated with a return to health or previous form. This association is bolstered by popularised stories of individuals making miraculous recoveries after surviving a major trauma or life threatening illness. Sadly, this is not always the case, particularly if an individual’s underlying medical condition is degenerative in nature. 

Degenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and motor neurone disease (to name a few) tend to only get worse over time. Such conditions slowly rob individuals of their independence and function as the disease progresses. This lamentable prognosis is a sombre reality that many individuals must deal with. 

Yet although recovery of function is highly unlikely, rehabilitation still has a place in the management of diseases of this nature. Such circumstances necessitate a change in mentality, where the focus is shifted to maintaining one’s independence for as long as possible and improving quality of life. In some cases, when an individual’s function deteriorates due to a transient exacerbation of their disease or comorbidity, there is scope for intensive therapy to help the individual regain their premorbid function whilst they are still in the early stages of their disease process. Outside of this situation, the intention of therapy is to primarily prevent secondary deconditioning; a corollary of reduced physical activity due to the burden of the degenerative disease on an individual’s mobility and vitality. 

Once disability becomes increasingly prominent in the latter stages of the disease process, assistive technology begins to have a greater impact on improving an individual’s quality of life. By this point, more focus is placed on reducing carer stress and maximising an individual’s community participation rather than maintaining their independence. 

The nature of degenerative conditions stipulate a flux of management strategies and interventions. As the disease progresses, therapies will evolve accordingly to accomodate the individual’s needs at that particular time. Despite their poor prognosis, individuals can still live a fulfilling lifestyle by adjusting their mindset and therapy goals.