Re: Fwd: Treatment for a Fractured Elbow

[Joe Wells]

Ron:   Hopefully, the doctor's verdict is not final- it is not that unusual for it to change. What is the extent/ nature of your injury?   I agree with Maria. The practitioner should be confident/ knowledgable in his area of practice. I don't believe in segregation of body parts or roles for physical and occupational therapy. Following-up from my last mailing, I would find it hard to comprehend an occupational therapist who says he is working on function, and not working directly or indirectly with its performanace components such as ROM/ ms. strength/ endurance (good buzz: activity tolerance), i.e, using the biomechanical FOR in orthopedic cases such as this. Hopefully not, otherwise any functional approach without keeping the biomechanical/ kinesiological aspects in mind, could be detrimental. Or, find me a PT that is applying the biomechanical FOR but is in no way facilitating the "functional independence" of his patient. However, I am an OT myself, and believe in the global impact and range of services we offer. Especially, when you expect residual deficits, I believe the OT takes on a more crusading role as the adaptor/facilitator, teaching or ensuring optimal adaptations/compensation to minimize the disability to the best it can be. Can a PT do it, too? I am sure we all know of some PTs that could do it better than some OTs, and some OTs that can do a better job in gait analysis and training than some PTs. For those OTs AND PTs that are ready to mark their boundaries, isn't ambulation a part of basic ADLs? Both APTA's and AOTA's practice guidelines claim and cover this as their domain.   Am I proposing a merger of  titles of physical/occupational therapist? No as there are certainly other aspects to this, we are not prepared or trained for this yet, at least not yet. What would insurance companies think of this? What impact will it have on medicare dollars? What will our associations do even at the thought (it sure as occured to others)- laugh? Ron you are an enlightened health professional. What do you think the doctor, or the general public would do in your case- who should they choose? With out really knowing the difference or with out there being a real difference of professional expertise (just the difference of individual practitioner's expertise)?   Joe           ----- Original Message ----- From: Maria Aguilera To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, March 02, 2003 1:00 PM Subject: Re: Fwd: Treatment for a Fractured Elbow Hi  Ron: Hope your elbow is recovering nicely.  I am a OTR who injuried her dominant elbow (non work related)many years back while practicing in Upper extremity/Hand Rehabilitation.  I felt pretty comfortable self treating until I realized that I needed further intervention ie,MRI and a clinician who was experienced with my specific injury(Tricep tear).  It was interferring with the quality of my clients' care.  I looked in my area and located a PT who was very instrumental in my successful outcome.  I think it is dependent on your comfort level and knowing when to seek assistance. I feel it does not matter PT vs. OT if the clinician is working within their knowledge and practice base.   Hope this helps.    Maria  Ron Carson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Hello Biraj and others: My original question about seeing an OT or PT is really more of a hypothetical question. While I really did fracture my elbow, it is doubtful that I will need any therapy. The reason I was asking the question was to hear readers opinions on when and why to refer to OT versus PT. Thanks, Ron ************************************************* On 3/2/2003,you wrote: RC> Sorry to hear about your elbow Ron. Hope you feel better soon. RC> As for seeing an OT or PT, won't this depend upon whom you are referred to RC> by your Orthopedic Specialist. As well as what will your insurance carrier RC> pay you for. RC> Take care, RC> Biraj *********��*********** Unsubscribe? Send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the message's *body*, put the following text: u! nsubscribe OTlist ** List messages are archived at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] *********��*********** Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, and more