Central Military Hospital 108 Rehabilitation Department

Central Military Hospital 108's Rehabilitation Department is a hospital-based service for people who need structured recovery after neurological illness, injury, surgery or a prolonged medical condition. The department is identified by the hospital as Khoa Phục hồi chức năng (C6) and works within a large tertiary hospital rather than as a stand-alone physiotherapy studio. That distinction matters for international patients whose rehabilitation may need coordination with neurology, orthopaedics, intensive care, cardiology or surgical teams.

Neurological rehabilitation after stroke or injury

Neurological rehabilitation is a major part of the department's documented work. Hospital material describes care for people with post-stroke weakness or paralysis, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and spinal-cord injury. Treatment is planned after an assessment of the person's current impairments rather than by assigning the same exercise programme to every patient. Depending on the clinical findings, this may include range-of-motion work, progressive resistance, position changes, transfer practice, gait retraining and balance assessment.

The hospital's stroke guidance also discusses occupational and language rehabilitation when recovery has progressed sufficiently. These services can be relevant when a person needs to rebuild communication or independence in everyday activities, not only limb strength. Families arranging post-stroke care should bring the acute hospital discharge summary, brain imaging reports, a current medicine list and any previous rehabilitation plan. A translated summary can make the first assessment more efficient if the original records are not in Vietnamese.

Recovery after orthopaedic surgery and trauma

The department also reports treating restricted joint movement after trauma and after orthopaedic or reconstructive surgery, together with osteoarthritis, degenerative joint conditions and soft-tissue problems. Its official introduction includes rehabilitation after limb replantation and nerve-transfer or nerve-graft procedures among the areas developed by the team. These are medically complex pathways in which the surgeon's restrictions and the rehabilitation plan need to remain aligned.

Before attending, ask the operating team whether weight bearing, joint movement or resistance exercise is restricted. Bring the operative note and the most recent X-ray, CT or MRI report when available. Travellers who had surgery outside Vietnam should not assume that a therapist can safely infer the procedure from a scar or a brief verbal description. Clear documentation helps the department decide what can begin immediately and what needs confirmation from another hospital specialist.

Physical therapy methods and exercise technology

Treatment resources described by Hospital 108 include electrotherapy, heat therapy, high-power laser, shockwave therapy, spinal traction and water-based therapy. The department also lists controlled exercise systems and rehabilitation technology such as the Armeo upper-limb robot, Lokomat lower-limb gait system, LUNA-EMG neuromuscular biofeedback and HUR exercise equipment. These devices are options within a clinical plan; their presence does not mean every device is appropriate or available for every appointment.

The older departmental introduction describes joint-mobility exercises, progressive resistance, transfer and gait practice, balance training, pressure-jet and whirlpool treatments, and selected electrical treatments. A rehabilitation physician or therapist should determine the suitable combination after examination. If you use a pacemaker, have metal implants, reduced skin sensation, an open wound or another condition that may affect an electrotherapy, heat or magnetic-field decision, mention it during registration and assessment.

A multidisciplinary hospital setting

One advantage of this department's location is access to the wider hospital environment. Hospital 108 describes closer rehabilitation coordination with neurology, trauma and orthopaedics, intensive care, cardiology, transplant, oncology and surgical specialties. This is particularly relevant for inpatients and for outpatients whose fatigue, swallowing, cognition, wound status or medical stability affects the pace of rehabilitation.

The department is not a substitute for emergency assessment. New facial weakness, sudden speech difficulty, acute one-sided weakness, loss of consciousness, severe chest pain or a sudden inability to walk requires urgent medical evaluation rather than a routine rehabilitation booking. Similarly, fever, worsening shortness of breath, a hot swollen limb or a new wound problem after surgery should be assessed before exercise continues. Visitors unsure how to access urgent or routine care in the city can also consult the practical guide on what to do when sick in Hanoi.

Preparing for the first rehabilitation assessment

Wear clothing that allows the affected joint or limb to be examined and bring the mobility aid, brace, splint or prosthesis currently in use. A concise timeline is useful: when the illness, injury or operation occurred; what treatment has already been completed; what movements are restricted; and which daily tasks remain difficult. Include allergies, medicines and significant heart, lung or neurological conditions.

International patients should contact the department before travelling to confirm whether a referral is required, whether the intended service is outpatient or inpatient, and how many sessions may initially be needed. Ask whether an English-speaking staff member or interpreter can be arranged; the official department material does not publish a guaranteed language service. It is sensible to travel with a Vietnamese-speaking companion until language support has been confirmed, especially when instructions involve safe transfers, home exercises or fall prevention.

Location and contacting the department

The department is within Central Military Hospital 108, 1 Tran Hung Dao, Hai Ba Trung Ward, Hanoi. The official departmental page lists 024 6278 4176 as its contact number. Because the campus contains many institutes, centres and clinical buildings, ask the department which entrance, registration desk and treatment area to use before arrival. Allow extra time for hospital registration and navigation rather than treating the appointment like a visit to a small street clinic.

The hospital website now presents rehabilitation within its evolving organisational structure, while the detailed official introduction still identifies the service as C6. Confirm the current building and department name by phone, particularly if an appointment message uses a newer centre designation. The hospital has not published department-specific outpatient hours on the sources reviewed, so hours are intentionally not reproduced here.

Costs, insurance and session planning

No department-specific price list or accepted-insurer list is published on the official pages reviewed. Before starting a course, request an estimate that distinguishes the medical consultation, assessment, individual treatment sessions, equipment-assisted therapy, inpatient charges and any imaging or tests. International insurance policies often require pre-authorisation, a physician referral or a treatment plan, even when the hospital can provide the care.

Ask both the hospital and insurer what documents will be issued and accepted. Keep invoices, prescriptions, clinical notes and the rehabilitation plan if you expect reimbursement. Patients paying directly should confirm the accepted payment method at registration. Avoid committing to a long package before the initial assessment establishes realistic goals, frequency and the need for reassessment.

When another provider may be more suitable

Hospital 108 may be a practical option when rehabilitation is connected to a complex neurological, orthopaedic or postoperative condition, or when access to other hospital specialties is important. A community physiotherapy provider may be more convenient for uncomplicated maintenance exercise, minor musculoskeletal complaints or treatment close to home, provided the clinician has the appropriate expertise. Home-based rehabilitation may be necessary for someone who cannot travel safely, but the department does not advertise home visits on the official sources reviewed.

The first useful question is therefore not which machine is available, but what level of medical oversight the person needs. Confirm the diagnosis, immediate risks and functional goals, then ask the department whether its outpatient, inpatient or coordinated hospital pathway is the appropriate setting.