Scottish National
BRACHIAL
PLEXUS
INJURY
SERVICE
Specialist multidisciplinary integrated management, assessment, surgical reconstruction and rehabilitation for brachial plexus injury in Scotland and the UK
Occupational Therapy enables people to achieve as much as they can for themselves and get the most
out of life.
BAOT 2010
If you have not had surgery, we will encourage you to try to use your injured limb in day-to-day life, supporting your recovery and improvement in function. We may suggest equipment which will help you to carry out activities. The ward Occupational Therapist (OT) will see you initially in hospital and may communicate with colleagues in the community and the Brachial Plexus team.
If you have had surgery, the ward Occupational Therapist will work alongside the surgeon to plan your assessment and treatment. Most patients will wear a sling for approximately 4 to 6 weeks. While you are in the ward, your Occupational Therapist will show you techniques to manage activities with one hand while you are wearing the sling. This will help you to work towards independence in day-to-day activities including feeding, dressing, self-care, going to the toilet, showering and bathing. Both your Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist will provide you with advice on keeping your hand mobile while your nerves recover. You may be provided with a hand splint.
As your sling is removed and your recovery begins, the Occupational Therapist may discuss other activities that are important to you, roles within the family, work, interests and hobbies. You may work towards individual goals in your home and community.
The overall aim of the Occupational Therapist is for you to understand your injury and feel supported to cope with your recovery.
As you settle back into your day-to-day life, you may begin to consider how you can return to work or driving and participate in some of your interests and hobbies. If you need advice or support in these areas, please speak to us. There is a section on the website with relevant links which you may find useful. If you are facing barriers in returning to work, we can direct you to community support that may assist you to overcome this. We can also provide supporting letters to help your workplace to understand how your injury may affect you.
We will support you to manage with one-handed techniques where this is appropriate and help you to restore and improve movement by participating in activities that are meaningful to you.
If you have a loss of sensation in a limb, we can educate you on safe positioning and use of that limb. If you have sensitivity we can also help with techniques that can make your limb less sensitive.
It is very important to pace your activities to manage fatigue and pain as you are recovering. Breaking down tasks and taking regular breaks is part of this. Techniques to avoid overstraining your injured limb can be helpful. We work together as team in supporting you to manage your pain and can guide you to relevant pain education resources.
You may have access to hand therapy in your local are. If you are struggling to access therapy, the Brachial Plexus Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist will develop a programme to support the rehabilitation of your hand. We may provide you with specific hand splints depending on your recovery.
In-patient referrals to the Brachial Plexus Occupational Therapist can be made when the patient is attending hospital in the acute phase of medical management.
Out-patient referrals are received from the multi-disciplinary Brachial Plexus Injury Service clinics. These are held at the New Victoria Hospital. Other referrals are welcome from therapists, nursing staff and consultants.
The ‘Anything Left-Handed Shop’ can provide left-handed products and information on household and recreational gadgets.
T: 01737 888269
A company which works closely with healthcare professionals and members of the public to provide a comprehensive range of products, all designed to make life easier.
Mandy Sinforiani
Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist
Room 2.10M
New Victoria Hospital
GLASGOW
G42 9LF
0141 347 8062 (Mon/Tue)
0141 347 8916 (Administrator)