Patient Information: Female, Age 77
Diagnosis: Hand Contracture / Stroke
History: This woman, a long-term skilled nursing facility resident, was referred to therapy for severely reduced range of motion (ROM) in the left hand resulting from a prior stroke. Previously, the woman’s caregivers were able to move her hand through full range of motion to provide care.
Pre-Therapy Status:
• Left Hand ROM: Severely limited; hand clenched in a fisted position at rest.
• Orthotic Tolerance: Able to wear palm shield for only short periods of time; caregivers
unable to open the hand for proper hygiene care, increasing the risk of skin breakdown.
Therapy Information:
• Modality: OmniSound® 3000 Pro Therapeutic Ultrasound System.
• Frequency: 5x per week.
• Protocol Specifics: Thermal ultrasound to the left hand and fingers to increase tissue extensibility and range of motion.
• Duration: Four weeks.
• Other Therapy Services Provided: Range of motion exercises and orthotic management.
Outcome:
• Left Hand ROM: Greatly improved; gained 60 degrees of motion in the fingers.
• Orthotic Tolerance: Able to wear resting hand roll splint for several hours a day; caregivers able to open the hand for hygiene care and range of motion exercises, preventing further declines in range of motion and decreasing the risk of skin breakdown.
This woman and nursing staff are excited with her increased left hand range of motion. She can now wear her splint for an extended period of time which prevents any skin breakdown in the palm of her hand.
