May - 2018

The Art of Prolongued Positioning

Current literature concerning stretching techniques suggests that prolongued mild stretches have better results than intense quick stretches when discussing improved joint mobility. This suggests that our limited clinic time should not focus on improved range of motion, but rather, educate the patient to focus on improved joint mobility at home. The individual with limb loss can obtain these mobility goals with proper prolonged positioning. In a previous post, it was suggeste

Wheelchair Adaptions to Avoid Joint Contractures

Wheelchairs offer a renewed sense of modified independence post amputation of a limb. An individual with limb loss may once have been confined to a bed post- operatively, and can now navigate the community using a wheelchair! This becomes a problem if the wheelchair is not modified for the individual with limb loss. Sitting in the chair position can increase the risk of knee flexion, hip flexion, and hip external rotation contractures. To avoid this complicated problem, but

Why “Tummy Time” is Important for Adults.

No, that is not a typo. “Tummy time” may frequently be used to define the importance of the prone position for babies, but it’s also important for people of all ages, especially individuals with limb loss! The new buzz quote “sitting is the new smoking” is important on many levels. In this case, prolonged sitting while one heals from a limb loss procedure, or as someone copes with decreased cardiopulmonary endurance, can shorten the hip flexors, hip external rotators, and kn