OT appointment - another really postive experience!!

Wonkylegs

HI all,

well, I finally got to see my OT today, having had to ring 3 weeks ago because I'd 'broken' my resting splint. In reality it only needed some new sticky stuff and a couple of new straps, which she did for me no problem today.

I also got two new working splints, as the one I had was wearing out it has been used to much :roll: and a pair of the 'magic' oedema gloves as the ones I have now are so battered the aren't fit to be seen in public any more :oops:

The really amazing thing was that she re-did all the measurements that she did only 6 months ago, and there was such an improvement in them , all thanks to the splints and the advice I've been given. (and maybe me playing by the rules too )

She was almost as excited about the change as I am, and it was great to leave feeling so positive, rather than how I leave some of my other appointments

Oh, and I also had the TB blood test today .... so they obviously found someone prepared to pay for it so may be one step nearer to knowing whether I need the TB treatment or not before the Infliximab infusion.

what a day!

speedalong

Wow Wonkylegs,
It was a long wait for the repairs - but sounds like it was worth it!! Great news about your measurements, you got your blood tests sorted AND you came home with lots of "goodies!"

Speedy

trisher

Wonky

I'm so pleased that they did such a good job today. Isn't it nice when you come home with a spring in your step .........errmmmm no you know what I mean

It makes all the difference doesn't it?

Glad you had a such a postive visit thoough

love Trish xxx

frogmorton

Hi Wonky

A really good appointment

I am so glad to see things have actually improved measureably great! Well done to you - the splints and the OT.

Wonky my brain cells have gone i cant remember what I was going to say other than keep up the good work.

OH!!! I remember! I hope the TB test comes back neg and you can get on with the treatment asap

Love

Toni xx

dreamdaisy

Good news indeed wonkylegs, playing by the rules sometimes does work! I think when you are living with something all the time it can be hard to see an improvement - but you have the facts and figures now which prove it. I am happy for you - keep up the good work! DD

dachshund

Hi Wonky.
i'm pleased everything went well for you and i'm pleased your splint could be fixed.
and you were given new as well.
good for you. take care and carry on with the good work.
joan xx

marion1952

Wow Wonky - that's great news about the improvement! I didn't realise hands could improve - I thought the splints and exercises 'just' prevented them from deteriorating further..

I've learnt something today - thanks!

Marikon

Wonkylegs

thanks for all your lovely replies

I tried out the new working splints today when I took my shopping trolley into town.

Previously I only had one for my right hand, but now I have them for both hands, and it made a HUGE difference to how painful my hands were by the time we got home and at least both hands matched

I think the improvements are because the hand is rested at night in the resting splints, and therefore the tendons and muscles can work more effectively in the day. Also I do the exercises that I was given (but maybe not as often as I should :oops: ) and they keep the movement going.

glad my news is of some encouragement to those of you with hand problems .... I'll let you know when I get the TB results

WOnky xxx

catlady

Errr I'm a newbie at RA, can somebody explain about the splints in this thread please :roll:

ironic

Hi WOnky,

Brilliant news about the hands, long may it continue
Great when something works. Hope the building work has made life easier too.

Lv, Ix

minky67

well done wonky. So pleased they have made a difference to your day.
Ive been told by my OT that i have to get a referal from my gp everytime i need new splints :? I did get a new one but only because the old one was completely knackered (bit like me ) they dont last long. I do have a spare new one but dont want to use it unless i have to. seems a bit ridiculous to have to be refered all the time by gp. :roll: But they said they have to do it that way so they get paid for providing them.

Anyway enough from me.
Im glad they have made a differnece to you & are helping. Good luck with you results too.
debs

jenfa1

catlady wrote:

Errr I'm a newbie at RA, can somebody explain about the splints in this thread please :roll:

I'm a newbie to this forum, but when I was diagnosed 17 years ago I was given splints. They are like strapping for your wrist, you put your hand it put the velcro across and on the back of it is a piece of metal to stop you moving your wrist too much. You have probably seen people wearing them, my pair were bright blue! but most people's are skin coloured.

I used to find wearing them in bed helpful if I was only slightly in pain, however somedays you need to wear them more. If wrists are a problem for you Catlady may be worth looking into.

Jen

Wonkylegs

catlady wrote:

Errr I'm a newbie at RA, can somebody explain about the splints in this thread please :roll:

HI Catlady,

great question Thanks .....It does us good to be reminded from time to time that not everyone knows what we're on about

There are lots of different types of splints that can be provided - that was news to me in January, as I thought there was only one .... the brown elasticated splint with a metal piece from your palm down past your wrist, that someone mentioned to you earlier.

I had a pair of these splints given to me by a physio some 5-6 years ago, following a referral by my GP, and I wore them whenever my wrists needed more support, or were hurting a lot. As they wore out I would ring my rheumatology nurse and they would organise a replacement pair.

Until the end of last year ..... when I was told that I shouldn't wear them without having had a proper assessment by a hand therapist :shock:

I was referred to a hospital-based Rheumatology specialist Occupational Therapist (OT) by my rheumatology nurse, and I am soooo glad that I was referred.

The OT not only examined my hands and wrists, taking all sorts of measurements, she looked carefully at all the activities that I found hard and worked out what was giving me pain.

In my case the standard inflexible splints previously described were not helping me, as my thumb joints were not being supported, and my fingers were having to take too much pressure on their joints.

I now have several different 'splints' given to me by the OT.

My working splints are made of black neoprene (like wetsuits) and wrap around my wrist and my thumb, as they are designed to restrict my thumb movements and give additional support as that is what she realised I needed. I wear these for jobs like gardening, typing, washing up etc where my hands are working hard. I can also wear these for driving when I am having a flare, so long as my insurers have been informed I have them.

My resting splints were custom made by the OT ..... she made them out of a special plastic which is heated in a water bath until it is flexible, and then moulded to the right shape to support my hands, wrists and forearm in a relaxed and resting position. Velcro straps fasten them to my arms. They do not exactly look elegant, but then since they are designed to be worn at night when asleep it doesn't really matter!! on really bad days I can wear them for a short time during the day to rest my wrists. You can't do much with your hands whilst you've got them on .... the point really ..... but they have really really made a difference to my pain and stiffness levels.

The other things I have found really useful are the oedema gloves which are tight skin-coloured fingerless gloves, which slightly compress my hands and help to keep the swelling down. They are really great, although not so much fun in really hot weather :roll:

I am really lucky because I have been told to ring the OT dept if I have any problems, and they will see me. I know from Debs post earlier that not everyone has this access, and I certainly haven't had that before ......... it's taken 12 years for me to have my hands properly looked at :shock:

sorry this turned out to be a long reply, but I thought it was worth explaining what I have .... but of course each person will have different needs and therefore different splints will help.

hope that answers your question
take care
WOnky

Wonkylegs

Debs ...... that seems crazy to me :shock:

I know I am really lucky ....... and I wish everyone had the same level of help available. I can only say that I have only just seen the OT, having been diagnosed for 12+ years and been begging on several occasions for help with my wrists and didn't get it ......... perhaps it is a money thing, or perhaps it is a staffing issue. I just hope you get the referral when you need it

hugs
WOnky