I evaluated a patient on Saturday with multiple medical issues including MD. He has difficulty with dressing, bathing, toileting, etc because of bi-lateral shoulder weakness.
I would address his shoulder strength but PT is already doing that. So, I will work on adaptive dressing strategies, etc. However, the patient is VERY mechanical but has great difficulty picking up small items because of the MD. He specifically said he has great trouble with his zipper, even after modifying it. During the eval, he told me that he needs something to brace his thumb so that he can use a finger grasp for small items. Immediately, I told him about a thumb spica splint. He was excited about the idea. This is the 1st patient on home health that I've worked with where fine motor control was a primary concern. It's going to be challenging because I haven't made a splint in many years... Ron ~~~ Ron Carson MHS, OT www.OTnow.com -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/otlist@otnow.com
