RSCC Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

This is an AOTA intervention list that may help us as future OTA with our clients that have arthritis.

Youtube splinting demonstration.

This video is short, but is a great visual to see splinting. It also provides some signs to watch for if the splint is bothering the patient, such as redness, or swelling

I found this study on the AJOT archives, its an old study but I just found it interesting in talking about the difference they saw in soft vs hard splints for RA patients. The overall preference for patients were the soft splints.

Certification for Cognitive Stimulation

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disorder for which there is no known cure. Fortunately in the last few years, a shift in strategy toward the earlier institution of disease modifying drugs and the availability of new classes of medications have greatly improved the outcomes that can be expected by most patients.

Br J Sports Med. 2014 Jun;48(12):957-65. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2012-091513. Epub 2013 Jan 18. Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

The Centers For Disease Control has a webpage dedicated to arthritis. It has links for things such as interventions, statistics, basic arthritis information, and additional resources.

This article was published in the Jounal of Hand Therapy April/June 2008. This article details the 5-step protocol that was developed in response to the large number of amputees from Operation Enduring Freedom. The article is broken into 3 "phases": "acute care, subacute care, and long-term rehbilitation needs."

This website from the American College of Rheumatology provides fast facts re: appropriate exercises for those who suffer from arthritis. What exercises are helpful and safe, who should exercise and which exercises are best, when to exercise and how to get started. Good info to know and share with potential clients in the future

This is the website that our Phys Dys book provides regarding the ROM Dance Program. It incorporates medically recommended joint exercises and gentle movement and is used with clients with arthritis as well as other physical impairments as a warm up or cool down for more involved therapy. It appears you must be certified to teach the dance.

Although not curable, RA symptoms can be alleviated by the same relaxation and breathing techniques we have already learned. Cold and warm compresses can be used to help with inflammation and pain. Mind/body therapies have been shown to be of great help to those with RA. Progressive muscle relaxation, visualization, meditation, and biofeedback are all good techniques to teach our clients when traditional medications are not enough. Also, these techniques can be used in many other areas.

This site lists and gives a great diagram of the levels of UE amputation. It also describes the different types of prosthetics and what they are best used for.

This is a great website that describes the different types of arthritis.

This site provides articles and recourses for dealing with general arthritis, Rheumatoid, JRA, and Osteoarthritis. Under "treatments" it lists all types of medical and supplemental ways of treating arthritis. I thought that was neat. The Arthritis Foundation is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention, control and cure of arthritis in the United States.

I have known this guy since we were kids, we grew up together and went to the same church. He is an awesome guy and I just wanted to share his story with you.

Wow, that is a great story! He might be a good resource for phys dis class next year !

a touching video with real people with arthritis. Makes you think, and have empathy for them. What a sad disease. Maybe one day there will be a cure!

Information on Rheumatoid arthritis with a short video. I like the video's because I am a visual learner so the video's help bring the images to my mind and I can remember the information better.

This is the amputee coalition website. What an amazing resource for patients, families, and therapist. This website provides current research, peer support, and even has detailed discussion about how to deal with phantom pain. Great website and resource!

Thanks for sharing this Kellie

Video from the American Orthotics and Prosthetics Conference showing some new products. One that caught my eye was a socket interface for shoulder dis-articulation by Martin Bionics.

This is the Hanger website. I wanted to share it after listening to today's guest speakers. It provides information on patient care and products/services they provide. Interesting to read about their charitable contributions, community involvement and other programs such as scholarships.

Signal Strengthening An important goal following TMR is strengthening reinnervated muscles so they generate electrical signals that can be detected by surface electrodes. Strengthening the contraction of the transferred-nerve muscles before the fitting helps the patient develop the adequate endurance needed to proceed with TMR myoelectric prosthetic training.