Regarding contraction, while in a nursing home, I had a similar problem to a lesser extent. In order to straighten my arms, they attached some sort of a pillow or a brace to each arm to try to straighten each arm and to help hold it straight. This sounds to me like a job for a physical therapist or occupational therapist. It helped me. After using the device, I have become a better extending and straightening my arms while in bed.
In the long-term, you might consider e-stim. If your biceps are contracted, that means that your triceps are extending and lengthening. You can electrically stimulate your triceps, and other muscles, to help them contract and strengthen. If you have partial control over your triceps, this can help you increase that control. If you Google estim, unfortunately, you will find a number of sexually related devices. But here is a place you can start: http://www.lgmedsupply.com/tensproducts.html after the system has been selected and configured and placed on the appropriate muscles, is relatively easy for people who are not physical therapists to attach the pads and device. Has anyone else tried this? How did this work for you? Take care, Dave Krehbiel Olney, MD From: DEBRA DEW [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2017 11:01 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [QUAD-L] question about contracting muscles atrophying, etc. my arms and legs are contracted at about a 45° angle,, which makes sitting in a wheelchair rather awkward with my legs.. I've seen pictures of long-term paralysis patients, aand eventually their knees are touching their bottom and there hands are touching their chin. Looks very uncomfortable and like a pretzel. Years ago I inquired about what could be done to stop the progression, and I was told they would have to put braces on me that are very bulky and uncomfortable, so I decided not to do that. It's hard enough to maintain comfort now without that, on top of it. My life expectancy is about another 20 years, and I really do wonder what's going to happen to my body with these contractions of my muscles. Please share whatever knowledge you possess about this. And I wonder if I had physical therapy, If it would have done anything to make me more comfortable. I have one CNA that moves my arms ggently to open them and it does feel good while she is doing it. I had physical therapy for a few months, that my insurance stopped paying for it quite quickly (Medicaid).. Is there any way to force Medicaid to provide for physical therapy? I found this in an encyclopedia:Even with "complete" injuries, in some rare cases, through intensive rehabilitation, slight movement can be regained through <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synaptic_plasticity> "rewiring" neural connections, as in the case of the late actor <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Reeve> Christopher Reeve. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetraplegia#cite_note-9> [9] Debra Scruggs-Scruggs phalanx-dragon slayers -PRISONER OF HOPE ZECH. 9 Formerly: Homeschooling mom of 9 and pvt. pilot Currently: Quadrapeligic due to advanced MS and living in a nursing home Phone: 561-588-4333 SC student 20yrs ROMANS 8:28 B.I.B.L.E.-BASIC INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE LEAVING EARTH --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus
