Annie MSOT, OTR

                          

Hi again-

If you haven’t noticed with my pictures- I really do love animals!  I know there are PTs out there that have worked in healing animals who have broken extremities (ie: racehorses)- but are there OTs out there who are interested in this? Or better yet, actually DO this kind of therapy?

I know when dogs are either abused or injured, for example, sometimes they could use some therapy to get back on their feet and a little bit of neuro-re-education for any nerve damage.  Therapy might help improve their gait patterns post surgery/injury.

I used to volunteer with Hippotherapy – and it was great because I was able to be around horses all the time – with the benefit of helping children.  However, I would love to know anyone’s experience if they have actually done work just with animals.

For those of you who don’t know what hippotherapy is- it is using horses as a mode of treatment for children with a spectrum of disabilities including but not limited to Autism, cerebral palsy, and general learning disabilities. 

The children are placed on a horse (who is guided by a volunteer) and the horse walks through the stable.  The proprioceptive input the children recieve from the movement of the horse- can then focus their attention on something else such as what the OT is working on. 

Many times after Hippotherapy, the children will then go into a “fine motor room” where the OT is able to work on table top activities because the child is so focused after they get off the horse.  It’s actually really fascinating to watch!

Anyway- back to my original thought- are there any OTs or ANYONE who is reading this that works on rehabilitation TO animals who have been injured?

I would love to hear about it!  And please..start your own blog too while your at it!

Thanks!

Annie

    

Hello!

I would love to see more people blog at this OT site.  If you have questions- please feel free to ask me how to do it.  It was really simple.  If you are passionate about OT and want to put more information out there on OT -please start a blog! We could get some pretty great conversations going about what everyone is doing in their place of work.

In order to respond to blogs and forums- you need to login with a username and password.  I would love to see more people write about themselves.  I can’t possibly think of every topic on my own to write about- so I would love more input!

I think most of us are in a similar boat.  OT has a LONG way to go – there are people who don’t even know what OT means- or what we do! 

Even my patients, as I am evaluating – ask me what the difference between OTs and PTs are. 

So please join me so we can start a community of OTs and talk about what we think is important.  I see some people’s names who maybe tried starting a blog- but then there is nothing there…Don’t be shy- just write whatever!

 Thanks everyone!

Annie

Hello-

I am just going to stray away from my usual topics for now and ask about other orthopedic OTs out there.  I am the only OT at this outpatient PT clinic – and where the PTs are wonderful to work with – it’s nice to get input from other OTs as well about specific diagnoses. 

I am a member of the AOTA and I do get the American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT)- but I am always disappointed because it is so infrequent they write about orthopedic issues.   Is there anyone else who feels this way?  I would love to read an article just about the shoulder, elbow, wrist or hand. 

We learn about orthopedic issues in school briefly- but then all the research is about everything BUT orthopedic issues.  I find I am reading more about physical therapy since their journals talk about orthopedic conditions.  Plus, if you research conditions on the internet- it is almost always they refer all orthopedic conditions to PTs and never mention OTs and orthopedic rehabilitation. 

I have seen a few Neuro based people- which I also enjoy learning about- but it seems orthopedic OTs are few and far between.  People ask “why didn’t you just become a PT?” and I didn’t become a PT because I wanted to help my father expand his business to have occupational therapy as another discipline.  I also wanted to know about adaptive equipment, splinting AND manual therapy on the upper extremity.

If there are other orthopedic OTs out there- or at least someone who is in a similar position as me- it would be great to connect with you so we can discuss ideas about treatment and bounce techniques off of one another.

 Thanks!

Annie

 

Hi all-

What is Cubital Tunnel Syndrome?
This happens when there is a compression on the ulnar nerve in the elbow region.  Some causes for this are:

 - a direct trauma to the elbow
- prolonged elbow flexion (and even leaning on your elbow for too long)
- dislocated bone and inflammation
- overhead work
- certain sports activities
- Repetitive activities such as continuous elbow flexion and extension- which can irritate the ulnar nerve and begin to overstretch it- which can causes inflammation.

**Fun fact: when you site yoru elbow and you get the numbness and tingling down your arm- and say the phrase “I just hit my funny bone!”  You actually have hit your ulnar nerve!

-Signs and Symptoms:
- Impaired sensation in your ring and pinki finger
- The side of your hand and forearm will feel tingly
- Burning pain may occur at the ring finger, pinki, and one side of your hand, wrist and forearm
- you may develop a weak grip or feel you are clumsy with items

Activities that may become difficult:
- Some overhead activities
- Performing activities that require extreme felxion and extension of the elbow

What do you do?
Conservative Treatment options:- Talk to your doctor about visiting an orthopedic occupational therapist (or physical therapist) to start on a home exercise program and treatment to decrease swelling and irritation

- Some people may be candidates for surgery, but always ask your doctor about the right decision for YOU.

What the OT does for you:
(Note: an initial evaluation is always necessary to determine what method of treatment is appropriate for you)
- Use of modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, soft tissue massage, hot/cold packs (for appropriate candidates)
- Manual therapy techniques
- Provide a home exercise program

*YOU CAN ALSO RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION* (ie: Google.com)

Please check back in a few days for my next posting.   

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Annie Barnett, MSOT, OTR

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