OccupationalTherapy.com Phone: 866-782-9924


What Are Some Common Comorbidities That You Often See With A Prosthesis?

Debra Latour, OTD, M.Ed. Advanced Practice of Occupational Therapy, OTR/L

October 19, 2015

Share:

Question

What are some common comorbidities that you often see with a prosthesis?

Answer

Great question. It is not uncommon for me to see some carpel tunnel, elbow tendonitis in the opposite side. Not uncommon for me to see diabetes and patients having to utilize insulin pumps, and then also having paresthesias in their intact hand, which is not uncommon and becomes even more common if the individual has been a long-time user of prosthesis use or even a long-time non-user so that they really have overuse going on. They may develop thoracic outlet syndrome, rotator cuff injuries and a lot of shoulder problems.

I often see patients who have neck pain, shoulder pain and asymmetry so I do try to get them on a Pilates program as soon as possible. Another thing that I always send them home with, or often send them home with if they're going to be using myoelectric technology is exercising their myocytes, but also engaging them in core strengthening and deep breathing because I can find that to be incredibly helpful with controlling some of these signals during the management phase.


debra latour

Debra Latour, OTD, M.Ed. Advanced Practice of Occupational Therapy, OTR/L

Dr. Debra Latour, OTD, M.Ed., OTR/L is a registered occupational therapist and owner of Single-Handed Solutions, LLC, providing clinical, educational, and research consulting services to manufacturers, providers, and individuals with upper limb loss/difference. She offers clinical interventions through her affiliation with Handspring Clinical Service.   Debi graduated from BSOT/Tufts University and earned her M.Ed. (Advanced Practice OT) from Springfield College and post-professional OTD at A.T. Still University. She is a full-time academic faculty at Western New England University.  Debi is active with the Amputee Coalition and is a member of ACPOC, AAOP, ATA, and AOTA. Debi has a congenital upper limb difference, is an active prosthesis-user and shares her experiences and tips through her blog at www.Single-HandedSolutions.blogspot.com. She is the inventor of record of patented prosthetic technology, and has authored published articles and chapters in occupational therapy text books, as well as copyrighted educational materials distributed by ContinuEd and MedBridge. Debi has consulted with Scholastic Books as a sensitivity reader for diverse publications, was mentioned in the book “Inventology” (by Pagan Kennedy), and is a subject in the “We Design” exhibit of Design Museum, that opened October 3 in Boston, MA.


Related Courses

Current Topics in Upper Limb Loss and Difference: Unlimbited Wellness and Secondary Conditions
Presented by Debra Latour, OTD, M.Ed. Advanced Practice of Occupational Therapy, OTR/L
Video

Presenter

Debra Latour, OTD, M.Ed. Advanced Practice of Occupational Therapy, OTR/L
Course: #4477Level: Advanced1 Hour
  'this course was very helpful for the Burn population who also have loss'   Read Reviews
Individuals with upper limb loss/difference (ULL/D) are likely to encounter secondary conditions that include pain, overuse and perceptions of isolation, and social stigma often require specialized services, including occupational therapy that may be difficult to access. Today’s course highlights the development, implementation, and evaluation of a telehealth program that offered preventive information, strategies, and peer interaction. This course is Day 1 of the virtual conference: Current Topics in Upper Limb Loss and Difference.

Bilateral Tasks: One Hand Versus Body-Powered Prosthesis
Presented by Debra Latour, OT, PP-OTD, MEd, OTR
Video

Presenter

Debra Latour, OT, PP-OTD, MEd, OTR
Course: #6097Level: Advanced1 Hour
  'Presenter was very knowledgeable'   Read Reviews
Completing common bilateral tasks using one hand and a body-powered prosthesis will be reviewed in part 1 of this upper extremity series.

Teaching Bilateral Tasks: Prosthesis Simulator
Presented by Debra Latour, OT, PP-OTD, MEd, OTR
Video

Presenter

Debra Latour, OT, PP-OTD, MEd, OTR
Course: #6098Level: Advanced1 Hour
  'really enjoyed the class'   Read Reviews
Completing common bilateral tasks using one hand and a prosthesis simulator will be reviewed in part 2 of this upper extremity series.

Bilateral Tasks: One Hand Versus Externally-Powered Prosthesis
Presented by Debra Latour, OT, PP-OTD, MEd, OTR
Video

Presenter

Debra Latour, OT, PP-OTD, MEd, OTR
Course: #6104Level: Advanced1 Hour
  'VERY WELL ORG'   Read Reviews
Completing common bilateral tasks using one hand and an externally-powered prosthesis will be reviewed in part 3 of this upper extremity series.

Bilateral Tasks: One Hand Versus Static Prosthesis
Presented by Debra Latour, OT, PP-OTD, MEd, OTR
Video

Presenter

Debra Latour, OT, PP-OTD, MEd, OTR
Course: #6105Level: Advanced1 Hour
  'educational'   Read Reviews
Completing common bilateral tasks using one hand and a static prosthesis will be reviewed in part 4 of this upper extremity series.

Our site uses cookies to improve your experience. By using our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy.