A prime example of the need of Physical therapists to be part of an OandP facility.

A prime example of the need of Physical therapists to be part of an OandP facility.

Hudaa

9/30/2006

Dear List,

I wrote to you a couple of weeks ago and have received many kind responses,
but no thoughts as to how this issue can be resolved. I am aware of the
political clout the PT's have, but you all are capable, maybe even more
so, to have the same clout. You just have to want it bad enough.

I have been working out with the new Hammerhead/Kayak TD for a couple of
weeks and started seeing a muscle firing in my supposedly unattached left
bicep.

Now my original arm reattachment was in 1969 and the LBEA was in 1981.
Between those dates I had two shoulder fusions. After the amputation, I was
prescribed a normal LBE prosthesis that included an anterior suspensor
strap. Now, be aware that I have no clavicle on that side and that strap
kept pressure on the Brachial Plexus for the next 25 years. I was unable to
wear a Munster or a myoelctric due to lack of elbow lift strength.

My new socket has an extremely light a pin liner, but the real bonus is the
custom leather harness; a special take on a figure-nine. There is no
pressure on my right sound shoulder and none on the left.

I asked a CP at the VA what he thought and he told me to stop up in PT and
ask them. What the PT told me was what every one thought was impossible:
My left bicep was completely functioning. He said that the switch
probably never been turned on. I believe it was because all the trauma,
scarring, and continuous pressure from a standard issue prosthesis.

It takes many years for an INTERESTED Prosthetist to be aware of all that is
going on in his patients body relating to the wearing of the prosthesis.

Wouldn't it have been wonderful to have had a specially trained PT in the
OandP facility itself to catch the problems before so much damage was done
to my sound side.

I am not knocking the immediate PT therapy that goes on post amputation, but
insurance is a factor in many patients lives and we frequently do not go
back to the original clinic that prescribed the original
prosthetic/orthotic. We rely on the OandP's to give us what we need.
After all, you are the EXPERTS aren't you?

Physical Therapy is more than exercises to strengthen, It is, even
according to their own definition, PREVENTIVE CARE. That is what I see is
lacking in your facilities. It is not a matter of providing direct physical
therapy at your facilities, but rather to have as part of your staff a PT
trained in OandP issues of preventive care.

I am experiencing what I consider a miracle - wouldn't it have been nice for
this to have happened so many years ago.

Hudaa Nielsen (Ann-Marie Hudaa Nielsen)
Human Female LBEA

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