Standards and Best Practices:
Mostly for-
Surgery- procedural guidelines for proper limb removal
Post-surgery care- caring for amputated area
Fitting of prosthetics- Guidelines for limb fitting
*No one gold standard for how to function with only one arm.
Training- Suggestions on how to do everyday activities using a prosthetic arm or an arm rendered useless from injury or stroke.
Examples of Suggestions:
Shoelaces- Velcro Fastenings, Elastic Laces, Slip on shoes
Method for tying using ring, index, and middle finger and thumb; from video reference.
– One Handed Method
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLqdQ-f1RO0
Teeth- Toothpaste Dispensers, Flip lid toothpaste, Place toothbrush or hold in mouth while putting on toothpaste, Squeeze toothpaste in mouth before-hand, hold between knees for twist off cap removal.
– Toothpaste Dispenser
http://www.asseenontvpros.com/assets/images/toothpaste%20dispense.jpg
Professional Care:
Occupational Therapy- Assess and adapt environment of home, help cultivate integration, assess return to work, try to stimulate successful long-term return to work.
Physiotherapy- Strength, flexibility, stability, core stability in order to adequately support a prosthetic limb; help reduce pain of using a prosthetic
Research in this field- leads to new, and refined techniques for rehabilitation and adaptation to life after amputation; Prosthetic development
Home Modifications:
Suggestions– Lever Taps, mounted bath sponge, mounted shower soaps, dishwasher installment, suction cup dish sponge
Equipment– Various equipment to help: compressive garments, RRD’s or Rigid Removable Dressings, Cutlery adaptations, plate guards, no slip matting for plates, Button hook for doing buttons with one hand, sock-aid, many more…
– Sock-Aid
http://www.sock-aid.com/img/home/first.jpg
Information References:
https://www.neurorehabdirectory.com/great-one-handed-strategies-functional-tasks/
http://lifetimesupport.sa.gov.au/new-guidelines-for-amputees/