Knowledge Check April 18th

Health literacy and health promotion is a major part of what makes OT unique. One thing I learned was that many people read at a very low reading level. They are given medication and cannot accurately take it due to lack of reading skills. The video we watched was very sad but eye opening. As an OT, we have a unique position to fill in the gaps from general practice to at home living. We can help promote health and the initiatives of Health People 2020 and 2030.

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement established the triple aim for healthcare. This addresses improving population health, per capita cost and experience of care. Occupational therapy can use treatments for direct health promotion. I learned the wide effect health literacy has on the population. It inhibits client's ability to navigate the healthcare system, engage in health concepts and engage in their own self care. OT has the power to prevent diseases or disabilities whether it is primary, secondary or tertiary prevention. I look forward to making a change in the healthcare system by implementing the three aims of the IHI and Healthy People 2020.

Biomechanics Post 3

Scapulohumeral rhythm is the relationship between the movement of scapula and the humerus. It is the ratio between the movement of these two bones. The shoulder has 3 degrees of movement. Two of those degrees are for the humerus and the remaining one is for the scapula. For example, if the humerus moves 120 degrees then the scapula moves the remaining 60 degrees. Scapulohumeral rhythm is essential in allowing full ROM. It allows for full muscle length tension and is needed for efficient arm movement. 

This rhythm permits good length tension relationships allowing for efficient arm movement. Scapulohumeral rhythm decreases shear forces allowing for improved joint congruency. This rhythm involves maintaining subacromial space and decreasing the likelihood of shoulder impingement. This is very important clinically in order to obtain accurate range of motion measurements.Since they work together, the therapist should stabilize the scapula in order to measure the glenohumeral joint range of motion. The shoulder and the scapula work together help to prevent active insufficiency. 

Biomechanics Post 2

Using proper testing procedures when performing Range of motion (ROM) and Manual muscle testing (MMT), improves the accuracy of the data obtained. The use of body landmarks is very important when retesting a client. Bony landmarks gives the therapist a proper place to align the goniometer to ensure they are measuring the correct way. Incorrect use of landmarks can skew data. This makes it hard to record more data after treatment because the original (Baseline) data was incorrect. Real progress can be hard to see. If another therapist retests your client, they may not obtain correct measurements if the original numbers were obtained incorrectly. Simply taking the time to align the goniometer to the proper landmarks can significantly proper interrater and intrarater reliability and retesting data in the future. 

The test position for MMT is the place the muscle can produce optimal muscle contractions. The therapist puts resistance on the distal end of the tested muscle. The therapist stabilizes the proximal segment. The optimal position is mid way through the range of motion. The muscle has to be able to contract at its maximal strength to resists the resistance of the therapist.  The examiner needs to have proper body mechanics while testing their client. They should stand on the side being tested. 

 Gravity eliminated testing is done when the client cannot actively move through their available range of motion. The tested segment is put in a plane where there is no gravity, parallel to the ground.  This removes the resistance component of MMT. The client can now complete the movement in the modified position. 

Knowledge Check April 4th

The Ted Talk, Why We Need Universal Design, focused on the need for products and environments to be accessible and usable for all people without having to modify them. The main point was that innovation is key to remove barriers of our disability. He said we all have a disability. Innovation and technology are key to making universal design.

I chose to listen to the podcast by GlassHalfFullOT called Living in Place and OT's Role in Home Modification. Home modification is so intriguing to me. I am a very tech savvy person. I love adaptive technology. I learned about CLIPP, certified living in place professional and their services. This is something I would be extremely interested in. A few of the most common home modifications are grab bars and elevated toilets. A personal hygiene seat was a new concept for me. It is supposed to help them if they have pain while wiping themselves or develop bacterial infections for improper hygiene. The modifications made are great for function but now are made to be more attractive  making it easier to make the switch to a modified home! There are so many home adaptations that can be made like plugged in flash lights that automatically come on when the power is out. This would be extremely beneficial for the elderly when getting up to go to the bathroom or evacuating the room for an emergency. Simple changes can make a big difference like changing out smoke detectors,   installing grab bars, door levers, and changing faucet temperature. I personally would not have thought about changing the water temperature setting. This certification is one I think all OT's should have.

Biomechanics Post 1

Each day when I arrive at school I sit in my chair. When I start to lower my self into my chair,  I have to flex my knee. At the end of this movement, my knees are flexed and feet flat against the ground. Knee flexion decreases the angle between the lower leg and my femur. When flexing my knees to sit, the movement occurs occurs in the saggital plane about the frontal axis. Knee flexion occurs when my hamstrings are concentrically contracting to pull my tibia closer to the femur.The osteokinematics of sitting, is knee extension to knee flexion through a hinge joint. Sitting is a closed kinematic chain. This is because the feet are pressing against the floor to lower or raise my body. The distal part of my body is not moving free but is fixed to the floor.The arthokinematics of the tibiofemoral joint involve the convex distal femur which rolls posteriorly and glides anteriorly on the tibial plateau. The prime mover knee flexion is the hamstrings.Synergists muscles involved in knee flexion include the gastrocnemius, gracilis and sartorius.