Occupational and Physical Therapy  

Occupational therapy is an integral part of Advanced Arm Dynamics’ approach to upper-extremity rehabilitation. An occupational therapist will work with each patient to develop a holistic and customized program to best serve the needs of the individual. Our trained therapists collaborate with patients to develop programs based on professional and/or recreational needs, ensuring each patient reaches the functionality they desire.          

Our occupational and physical therapy program includes:

• Acute Care
• Pre-Prosthetic Care
• Interim-Prosthetic Care
• Post-Prosthetic Care

Acute Care

Early therapeutic intervention helps ensure that patients will progress through the rehabilitation process as quickly as possible without lapses in care. This therapy may include wound care, sterile whirlpool, debridement and edema control. The occupational therapist also helps with scar management, soft tissue mobilization and desensitization, which is necessary for comfortable prosthetic use and function.

Pre-Prosthetic Care

Pre-prosthetic training helps prepare the patient for prosthetic use. Pre-prosthetic therapy may include scar and soft tissue care and will focus on residual limb shaping, EMG signal training, developing upper-extremity strength and endurance, developing coordination for differentiating muscle function, education to help prevent contralateral over-use and improving posture to prevent back and neck pain.

The occupational therapist will continue to work with the patient to develop coordination and skill in differentiating muscle function for myoelectric control and/or learning to position the shoulder and residual limb for body-powered control. Refining these skills early will help facilitate progress.

Interim-Prosthetic Care

Interim-prosthetic care allows the therapist to assist the patient to develop the following skills:

• Donning and doffing the prosthesis
• Learning basic prosthetic operation (body-powered and/or myoelectric)
• Pre-positioning the terminal device to facilitate grasp
• Manipulating objects, eating and writing
• Using the prosthesis while sitting, standing and walking

Prosthetic alignment, control adjustments and interface shape are adjusted to maximize the patient's rehabilitation potential during this phase. Due to the close interaction between the patient, prosthetist and therapist, any prosthetic and therapeutic issues are resolved quickly, maintaining the patient's progress toward his/her functional goals.

Post-Prosthetic Care

During post-prosthetic care, patients will continue to build their basic prosthetic skills into more complex activities. The focus is now on developing greater independence. Patients learn to master important functions including:

• Eating and cutting food
• Self-care (grooming, dressing and toileting)
• Complex activities of daily living (opening doors, manipulating keys, food preparation and household tasks)
• Learning to use the prosthesis for work, school and/or leisure activities

Prosthetic success rates improve dramatically when a training program goes beyond basic prosthetic operation and addresses the specific activities that relate to a patient's own vocational and avocational pursuits. For this purpose, our occupational therapist may visit a patient's home or work place, and when necessary, evaluate the need for driver training. Advanced Arm Dynamics’ comprehensive therapeutic program provides the personalized support necessary for each patient to maximize his/her rehabilitation potential. 

Phantom Limb Sensation/Phantom Limb Pain:

After amputation of a limb, some amputees experience sensations from the limb loss area. Although phantom limb sensation can be very frustrating for patients, our therapists will work with amputees to use the sensations he/she is experiencing to enhance the functionality of their prosthesis.

On the other hand, phantom limb pain can be very painful for patients often causing ongoing discomfort. Phantom limb pain is extremely common among amputees, and is often described in various ways such as burning and aching. Advanced Arm Dynamics works to help alleviate phantom limb pain through psychology and occupational therapy, massage, pressure liners, mirror therapy and medications.  

Psychological Counseling

Advanced Arm Dynamics’ comprehensive assessment and rehabilitation process may include an individual consultation with a licensed psychologist. Through this process, Advanced Arm Dynamics determines the patient’s unique learning style and offers emotional support during the patient’s rehabilitation.