Using a S.O.D. Stretch Strap to Assist With Post-Surgical Transfers

Using a S.O.D. Stretch Strap to Assist With Post-Surgical Transfers

 

Very often patients who I evaluate after their hip or knee surgery have a great deal of difficulty lifting their surgical leg into bed in order to lie down. Many of these patients also have weak upper bodies with diminished trunk flexibility and are therefore unable to use their arms to lift their weaker leg into bed.  The Stretch Strap helps them to transfer from sitting to lying down efficiently and safely.



 

 

 



The above 3 pictures shows a typical transfer from sitting to lying down when no strength deficits are present

 

 

 

 

In the above second group of pictures, I use the Stretch Strap to assist lifting the weaker leg into bed.  There is minimal strain to my arms or trunk.  This is especially helpful when there are post-surgical precautions such as those following a total hip replacement which limit how far you can flex forward at your hips

 

Click on the link: Stretch Strap to purchase yours...Free Shipping!!

 

 

 

 

 

     

Rehab Devices That Make Life Easier

Rehab Devices That Make Life Easier

Lift Chairs & Seats

 

 

Many of my patients, mostly the elderly, have a very difficult time transferring from a seated to a standing position.  This is usually due to weakness of the leg muscles and/or arm muscles (you need your arms to push up from the chair).  There are some common devices on the market that help with this activity.  However, I do find that if people have a choice between 'working' to get out of a chair versus having the chair do the work for them, they choose the easier way.  Unfortunately, if you don't use it, you lose it.  The less you rely on your legs to help with the transfer, the weaker they become.  I always advise my patients to only use a lift seat/chair if they can not get out of a chair any other way.  If it takes a little work to do the transfer on their own, as long as it is still safe, they should do it without mechanical assistance.    

Cheaper of the two options, the seat lift can move from chair to chair and is purchased based on body weight

 

 

The chair lift is expensive but sometimes Medicare will cover a portion of it.  This will actually raise you up until you are almost standing

 

 

 

 



Rehab Devices That Make Life Easier

Rehab Devices That Make Life Easier

 

We tend to take for granted the ability to perform life's daily activities.  As a Physical Therapist, much of my treatment time is spent educating patients and their families on what they can do to make their lives less stressful, particularly when performing activities such as bathing, walking, changing position, and toileting.  Today's device is the Grab Bar.

   

These can be purchased at your local hardware store and can be installed in your shower to assist you with safely entering and exiting the bathtub or shower.  Many people rely on their bathroom towel rack.  However, many times leaning on this with your body weight  may pull it out of the wall, leading to an injury due to falling to the floor.  Suction cup grab bars are also sold.  However, I have heard both good and bad about them.  Many times they have to be re-applied every few weeks due to loss of suction.  It is because of this that I would not always trust the suction grab bars to support someone who has a very difficult time getting in and out of the shower and places a great deal of their body weight on them. 

 

Grab bars can also be used to assist getting in and out of your garage...

Or getting on and off of the toilet...

 

If you have a family member who presents with generalized weakness, is recovering from a surgery or is medically compromised, Grab Bars may make their life easier and will decrease their risk of future injuries.



The Pivot Disc

The Pivot Disc

Due to leg weakness (Knee/Hip), it may be very difficult for a
trainer, therapist or caregiver to safely transfer their client/patient from one surface to another. Their client may be able to bear weight on their legs, but may not be able to advance either foot in order to take steps. This makes transferring from the bed to a chair or vice versa very difficult. The Pivot Disc is a great tool that can be used in this situation to minimize the risk of injuring your client or yourself during functional transfers.

Pivot Disc

Place client's feet on outer edge of disc with enough room between the feet for your foot

Upon standing your client, use your foot that is on the disc to control the rotation of the disc, transferring your client from one surface to another

Average price of a Pivot Disc is $50-60

This Will Come In Handy!!

For those of you who have a family member, friend, or maybe even you are having difficulty getting in and out of your car due to weakness of the legs, this product may be very beneficial for you.   It is called the Handy Bar and can be purchased at http://www.activeforever.com for less than $25. I have purchased this and used it with many of my patients and they love it. It gives them a sturdy handle to push off of when trying to transfer out of their car.  This will help reduce their fear of falling and provide them with more independence when leaving their home.