Annie MSOT, OTR

Hello!

I am coming into my one year mark as an OT.  It has been an awesome learning experience - going to continuing education courses, applying what I’ve learned to my patients, and getting great results!

I can’t believe it’s been one year already!  I am the only OT here right now- working with 6 other PTs.  They have been a wonderful help to me this year.

It’s amazing to think back on how nervous I used to get thinking about treating people- especially when the schedule was busy!  Now, I feel much more in a flow!

As part of my job- I also started conditioning a local high school tennis team with one other PT.  I am also going to be conducting my first senior exercise class in April in one of the local towns! 

One thing that is great about this job - is that it’s never boring!  I always am doing something new!

Annie

I am revisiting this topic once again.  I have been looking into therapy for animals and unfortuantely there are only PTs in this field.  Are there any other OTs out there who loves animals at heart (of course, enjoy working with people)- and want to apply your orthopedic knowledge to pets too?

Lets be honest…healthcare reimbursement has seen better days!  So- I would love to keep my options open and explore this other outlet where I can still use my othopedic skills!  I would not only be helping the animal - but also - the extremely worried owners of these pets.  It’t the best of both worlds!

Especially when dogs and cats develop arthritis- it would be so awesome to know how to treat them…I was reading about it on-line through the experiences PTs have had with treating animals and they say they use alot of the same modalities and manual skills on animals as they do on people!

They sell books on PT and animal rehabilitation- I was thinking of purchasing a few.  I also came across a degree I can get online as a Verternary Technician- which I think would be helpful in applying my orthopedic OT skills- as I would learn more about the animal anatomy.

Is there anyone else doing anything like this? Interested in anything like this?

 Annie

Hello all -

On January 31st my grandmother, Olive Jean, passed away.  She was a wonderful inspiration to my family and will be greatly missed.  Unfortunately, she had been on a decline for about 8 years.  I am dedicating this blog to Pearl, the hospice nurse, who was her primary care taker throughout her final years.  (Gram loved pigs- which is why I chose them as the animal for this blog)

My grandmother was lucky to pass away at home in her own bed, just as she wanted.  We had the viewing yesterday and her nurse, Pearl, was there.  Pearl absolutely LOVED my grandmother as she had become quite attached over 8 years.  She did a wonderful job with all the care-taking. 

I have a different respect for nurses who take on this field.  They have to be the OT, PT, and doctor at all times to the people they care for. 

I was thinking about when I did my affiliation in the hospital and I would go into the rooms with my CI and we would have to assist the patients in bed rolling to help prevent bed sores.  I saw many patients with unfortunate, poor, quality of life.  It is devastating to think of looking at your loved one in this condition. 

I didn’t actually know how devastating it could be, however, until it fell upon my grandmother.  It was difficult to look at her in her final days.  I prayed she was comfortable and peaceful.

My mother put together a beautiful slide show of her mom which we were able to enjoy at the viewing.  To see the pictures of my grandmother from the time she was a little girl up till her final days was amazing.  As a grand-daughter, I never thought of my grandmother as a young woman.  But to watch her life through the slide show was amazing and I felt lucky that she had the love and help surrounding her once vibrant, young, energetic spirit.  I am confident she is in a much better place…

Thank you to all the hospice nurses, ESPECIALLY PEARL, who work so hard to keep the best quality of life they can for these suffering patients. 

Good luck to all of those who are debating entering this field.  It truly takes a strong person.

Annie

Hello!

 I hope everyone had a nice holiday! 

Back to work! 

It’s going really well.  I am continuing to learn so much..I really hope those of you who are in the field are going to those continuing education courses.  It’s not just about getting the credits because you HAVE to- it should be because you want to!  I have been to 6 since April, 2007- and my skills are so much better.  I also find that talking to patients is so much easier and less intimidating.  I am actually able to answer their questions in an informed manner.

I am waiting for more splints to come my way.  I have made about 12 so far.  All static splints.  I was thinking about taking another course in this.

I also received a flyer about animal therapy.  This is a home study course on rehab for dogs and horses.  Has anyone ever taken one like this?

Are there any good courses anyone has gone to recently?  Can you recommend??

 WHERE ARE THE OT BLOGGERS?????!!!!

Annie

Okay everyone-

Shopping season is here!  This means carrying heavy bags, toys and other gifts…

Just a few reminders: 

-Watch out for any old injuries you may have..Be mindful of your aches and pains

-Modify the way you carry items by using both hands and use good body mechanics

- If you purchase many items at once - do not try to unload them from your car at one time.  You may need to make a few trips back to your car. 

-Watch out for the black ice this season- especially at shopping centers

- Winter season can be brutal- dress warm and wear shoes with good traction. 

- Also- be mindful of your health.  There are alot of goodies around this time of year.  Remember to take things in moderation.  Try and keep a healthy diet- as this aids to good healing.

Happy holidays!

 Hello-

 I went to a continuing education course this past week-end.  It was on manual therapy for the upper extremity.  Janet Travel, James Cyriax and Brian Mulligan were all mentioned as references.  This is great for me because in the clinic I work, we use these references all the time…This is the first course I have been to that mention these names.

It was a great course.  I was able to immediately apply what I learned when I returned to work on Monday. 

Techniques for frozen shoulder and elbow injuries, in particular were addressed, which was a great help for me.  The patients I used these techniques on, felt a difference immediately!

Is there anyone else who has experiences like this?  I think it is wonderful to be able to learn anything new and fresh.

Hi again-

If you haven’t noticed with my pictures- I really do love animals!  I know there are PTs out there that have worked in healing animals who have broken extremities (ie: racehorses)- but are there OTs out there who are interested in this? Or better yet, actually DO this kind of therapy?

I know when dogs are either abused or injured, for example, sometimes they could use some therapy to get back on their feet and a little bit of neuro-re-education for any nerve damage.  Therapy might help improve their gait patterns post surgery/injury.

I used to volunteer with Hippotherapy - and it was great because I was able to be around horses all the time - with the benefit of helping children.  However, I would love to know anyone’s experience if they have actually done work just with animals.

For those of you who don’t know what hippotherapy is- it is using horses as a mode of treatment for children with a spectrum of disabilities including but not limited to Autism, cerebral palsy, and general learning disabilities. 

The children are placed on a horse (who is guided by a volunteer) and the horse walks through the stable.  The proprioceptive input the children recieve from the movement of the horse- can then focus their attention on something else such as what the OT is working on. 

Many times after Hippotherapy, the children will then go into a “fine motor room” where the OT is able to work on table top activities because the child is so focused after they get off the horse.  It’s actually really fascinating to watch!

Anyway- back to my original thought- are there any OTs or ANYONE who is reading this that works on rehabilitation TO animals who have been injured?

I would love to hear about it!  And please..start your own blog too while your at it!

Thanks!

Annie

Hello!

I would love to see more people blog at this OT site.  If you have questions- please feel free to ask me how to do it.  It was really simple.  If you are passionate about OT and want to put more information out there on OT -please start a blog! We could get some pretty great conversations going about what everyone is doing in their place of work.

In order to respond to blogs and forums- you need to login with a username and password.  I would love to see more people write about themselves.  I can’t possibly think of every topic on my own to write about- so I would love more input!

I think most of us are in a similar boat.  OT has a LONG way to go - there are people who don’t even know what OT means- or what we do! 

Even my patients, as I am evaluating - ask me what the difference between OTs and PTs are. 

So please join me so we can start a community of OTs and talk about what we think is important.  I see some people’s names who maybe tried starting a blog- but then there is nothing there…Don’t be shy- just write whatever!

 Thanks everyone!

Annie

Hello-

I am just going to stray away from my usual topics for now and ask about other orthopedic OTs out there.  I am the only OT at this outpatient PT clinic - and where the PTs are wonderful to work with - it’s nice to get input from other OTs as well about specific diagnoses. 

I am a member of the AOTA and I do get the American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT)- but I am always disappointed because it is so infrequent they write about orthopedic issues.   Is there anyone else who feels this way?  I would love to read an article just about the shoulder, elbow, wrist or hand. 

We learn about orthopedic issues in school briefly- but then all the research is about everything BUT orthopedic issues.  I find I am reading more about physical therapy since their journals talk about orthopedic conditions.  Plus, if you research conditions on the internet- it is almost always they refer all orthopedic conditions to PTs and never mention OTs and orthopedic rehabilitation. 

I have seen a few Neuro based people- which I also enjoy learning about- but it seems orthopedic OTs are few and far between.  People ask “why didn’t you just become a PT?” and I didn’t become a PT because I wanted to help my father expand his business to have occupational therapy as another discipline.  I also wanted to know about adaptive equipment, splinting AND manual therapy on the upper extremity.

If there are other orthopedic OTs out there- or at least someone who is in a similar position as me- it would be great to connect with you so we can discuss ideas about treatment and bounce techniques off of one another.

 Thanks!

Annie

Hi all-

What is Cubital Tunnel Syndrome?
This happens when there is a compression on the ulnar nerve in the elbow region.  Some causes for this are:

 - a direct trauma to the elbow
- prolonged elbow flexion (and even leaning on your elbow for too long)
- dislocated bone and inflammation
- overhead work
- certain sports activities
- Repetitive activities such as continuous elbow flexion and extension- which can irritate the ulnar nerve and begin to overstretch it- which can causes inflammation.

**Fun fact: when you site yoru elbow and you get the numbness and tingling down your arm- and say the phrase “I just hit my funny bone!”  You actually have hit your ulnar nerve!

-Signs and Symptoms:
- Impaired sensation in your ring and pinki finger
- The side of your hand and forearm will feel tingly
- Burning pain may occur at the ring finger, pinki, and one side of your hand, wrist and forearm
- you may develop a weak grip or feel you are clumsy with items

Activities that may become difficult:
- Some overhead activities
- Performing activities that require extreme felxion and extension of the elbow

What do you do?
Conservative Treatment options:- Talk to your doctor about visiting an orthopedic occupational therapist (or physical therapist) to start on a home exercise program and treatment to decrease swelling and irritation

- Some people may be candidates for surgery, but always ask your doctor about the right decision for YOU.

What the OT does for you:
(Note: an initial evaluation is always necessary to determine what method of treatment is appropriate for you)
- Use of modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, soft tissue massage, hot/cold packs (for appropriate candidates)
- Manual therapy techniques
- Provide a home exercise program

*YOU CAN ALSO RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION* (ie: Google.com)

Please check back in a few days for my next posting.   

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Annie Barnett, MSOT, OTR

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