Hello Susanne: For some reason, I can't not successfully download the videos... aahh!
Your suggestion about not moving sideways was very helpful. The patient did agree that sideways movement was not an option. I think that single biggest problem hindering transfers is that she can NOT clear her bottom unless she has a high placement for her UE's. The suggestion to make the mattress edge firmer was MOST helpful! The patient is able to move backwards while long sitting in the bed, but her pants end up around her ankles. She is unable to move forward while long-sitting but she may learn using a "hip walking" strategy. ----- Original Message ----- From: susanne <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2007 To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subj: [OTlist] On-line Colloboration (5/29 Update) s> Hi Ron - thanks for the update! >> Just got back from an appt. with the person w/ a >> T9-T10 >> spinal cord >> injury. She confirmed that independent transfers and >> taking a >> shower are >> her two primary goals. >> >> The pt. was able to indpendently go from supine to >> bedside >> sitting. s> Good! s> She >> is able to perform a slide board transfer from the bed >> to >> her w/c with >> min-mod asst (primarily for LE placement). s> Did you check the "transfers" video links I sent you - some s> are done by quads. Look at Shaun and JGNI. Note how and at s> which points they move their legs. s> Oh - and maybe try a different sliding board! And try s> sticking it under the seat cushion. s> However, she is >> UNABLE to >> perform sitting bed mobility. s> again if you look at those two guys, they never move s> sidewards while sitting on bedside. Their positioning in bed s> is done something like half sidelying (they also both s> demonstrate some active elbow extension, which is c7 s> function, so I don't quite trust their SCI-levels - but sure s> they are quads). >> She is short and bottom-heavy. With her hands on the bed >> and >> her elbows >> fully extended, she still has too much weight on her >> bottom. s> Both build and firmness of surface has a lot of influence. s> It's often more difficult for women. When she's able to turn s> in bed at night, maybe use a firm mattress. And if using a s> softer overlay, this should not extend all the way to the s> side of the bed. (We actually sleep on a futon, bf with an s> overlay - will find a link for that one later) >> She tried a >> push-up block but it "sunk" into the mattress. s> Are we talking bedside sitting here? And what is she trying s> to do - move sidewards? Oh - because it's a power chair, she s> can't just drag it closer - is that it? s> They have >> a mattress >> overlay that they are going to try to see if this give >> a >> comfortable >> nights sleep while being firm enough to assist with >> transfers. >> >> She has difficulty moving her LE because of trunk >> instability but this >> should quickly improve. s> Yeah - that and strong arms and shoulders will make the s> difference, I believe. Lifting weights is often recommended. s> Also working on the half-lying bed mobility (long-sitting s> etc). >> >> If you remember she was weaning herself off the TLSO. >> She >> told me that >> on Saturday, she went all day without it and she did not >> wear >> it during >> today's therapy. s> Good - now onto strengthen those trunk muscles, also so she s> don't hurt herself. >> Next week, I think we will tackle tub transfers. >> Probably using a >> standard tub transfer bench. >> >> So, what suggestions can you give regarding bed >> mobility >> and/or tub >> transfers. s> We don't have many tubs left in Denmark, so I guess I can s> only spell "roll in shower". Or, if there's a drain in the s> bathroom floor, then showering while on (a commode over) the s> toilet cuts down on both time and transfers. My bf does s> this. The hot water also helps relax and speed up the BM s> procedure. Got a long shower hose, with an on/off button on s> the shower head. (No - no private pics - LOL). s> Warm greetings s> susanne, denmark s> - girlfriend of a great guy with quadriplegia -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] ************************************************************************************** Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. www.otdegree.com/otn **************************************************************************************
