October is Physical Therapy Month

Physical therapists play a key role in orthotics and prosthetics rehabilitation. As movement experts, PTs are vital to maximizing a person’s function and are key members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team.¹ PTs work in concert with Certified Prosthetists Orthotists and Physiatrists to meet our clients’ O&P needs from evaluation/prescription to training & mastery of devices.

Falls Prevention

Physical Therapy is integral to laying a solid foundation for preparation and acquisition of a new O&P intervention. Focusing on strengthening, range of motion, balance training, endurance and O&P related education equips clients for success.^2,3,4,5 Rehabilitation helps address acute and chronic impairments and has been shown to reduce overall healthcare costs with commonly associated conditions (e.g., acute low back pain; knee osteoarthritis; vascular claudication).⁴ One particularly important area addressed by physical therapy is falls prevention.^4,5 PT training with the use of an orthosis, prosthesis and assistive device helps improve safety and execution of mobility & activities of daily living.¹

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Prosthetics

Falls in adults with lower limb loss are common with self-reports ranging from 21% during initial hospital stay to 58% of individuals living in the community.⁶ Injuries are often incurred as a result which may impede use of a prosthesis and limit functional mobility.⁶ Identifying potential risk factors (e.g., lower limb weakness, impaired sensation, diabetes) and incorporating these into fall prevention strategies are important facets of rehabilitation.^6,7 Physical and mental health play a key role in an individual’s function and addressing symptoms such as phantom limb pain can help improve overall quality of life and reduce risk of falls.⁷

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Orthotics

Risk of falls extends to individuals using orthotic interventions as well. Lower limb weakness, tonal influences and impaired balance reactions are a just a few potential risk factors experienced with orthotic users.^2,8While no one intervention alone can stop someone from falling, use of an orthosis with concomitant PT interventions has shown to help mitigate some of the underlying risks.^1,2,4,5 Additionally, these O&P rehabilitation strategies can help promote key positive influences on an individual’s function such as self-efficacy, quality of life and balance confidence.^8,9

Choose PT

Physical activity is vital for all stages of our lives and most effective when tailored to our individual needs.¹⁰ Reach out to a Physical Therapist to discover your specialized exercise prescription and explore your potential.¹¹ We’re looking forward to working with you!