This narrative review introduces case complexity and medical rehabilitation needs in a stroke rehabilitation setting, and proposes methods to more efficiently enhance functional recovery in the acute stage after stroke onset. Therapists may measure a construct of individual need complexity around and beyond the basic and common needs for medical necessity, and thereby screen acute patients who could benefit more from additional rehabilitation inputs. This review also describes the clinical significance of medical rehabilitation needs and challenges for efficient stroke rehabilitation. Overall, we propose that challenging research trials should be conducted to compare the effectiveness of the arrangement of rehabilitation service allocation based on needs assessment after stroke with the usual care pathway.

The musculoskeletal system is affected in over 40% of patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is an increased need for post-acute rehabilitation after COVID-19, especially in elderly people with underlying health problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of an early and goal-orientated rehabilitation program using combined approaches, robotic medical devices together with other rehabilitation techniques and therapies, in elderly people after acute COVID-19. Ninety-one patients (62.64 ± 14.21 years) previously diagnosed with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection were admitted to the Medical Rehabilitation Clinical Hospital Baile Felix, Romania, for medical rehabilitation, but only six patients (85.33 ± 3.07 years) met the inclusion criteria and participated in the study. The rehabilitation treatment was complex, performed over 4 weeks, and included combined approaches: exercise therapy, robotic gait training, occupational therapy, and massages. Activity and participation evaluation were performed using the Barthel Index and Functional Independence Measure for activities of daily living (ADLs). Assessments were performed at admission and discharge from the rehabilitation clinic. Lokomat patients\' reports revealed that the patients had improved motor control (with one exception). The measurement of functional ability revealed an improvement in most cases. This study presents some of the first data on outcomes of COVID-19 patients\' musculoskeletal rehabilitation in our country. Early complex medical rehabilitation improved functional independence and autonomy in ADLs in very old patients, post-COVID-19.

Postpoliomyelitis syndrome is characterized by a sudden or progressive loss of muscle strength, muscle atrophy, muscle pain, fatigue, intolerance to cold, after a period of at least 15 years from the acute polio virus infection, a period of neurological and functional stability. No therapeutic benefit of the evaluated drug agents (pyridostigmine, steroids, amantadine) has been reported. The reason for this presentation results from the fact that clinical studies have demonstrated that isokinetic and isometric muscle training can prevent the loss of muscle strength and reduce muscle fatigue. Rehabilitation programs through physical-kinetic therapy are the only way to limit functional deficit, playing an important role in the long-term management and care of patients. The particularity of this case is the fact that the symptoms occurred after a 40 year period of neurological stability. The regular monitoring and inclusion of the patient in complex medical rehabilitation programs are important in order to limit the functional deficit and increase the quality of life of these patients.

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is an autosomal dominant genetic transmitted disease, with a rare incidence (1-2 cases/million persons) and it usually affects female patients. Its manifestations include acute pain episodes that tend to repeat, involving the soft tissue and the axial muscles with later appearance of ectopic bone tissue in ligaments, joints and tendons. In the great majority of times, the skeletal modifications are observed at birth but the first clinical symptoms occur at 2-4 years old. The clinical symptoms include pain and inflammation of the soft tissue, sometimes associated with fever and cutaneous erythema, joint symptoms--pain, stiffness most frequently concerning the scapular and pelvic girdle, bone malformations--short hallux, microdactilia, kyphoscoliosis, thorax malformations. The diagnosis is established based on the clinical symptoms and the imagistic investigations: CT, MRI - which indicate the joint modification and the ectopic bone tissue. Muscular biopsy is not indicated as it leads to new lesions in the already traumatized areas.