Role of OT
in the Rehabilitation Process
Living with limb loss requires a lot of changes. It is not impossible, and these individuals deserve to be supported and encouraged throughout the adjustment period. Following an amputation, many of the simple tasks of everyday life become overwhelmingly difficult. Things like dressing, bathing, moving around the home, working, playing sports, participating in hobbies, driving, preparing meals, and much more become more challenging. The good news is all of these things are within the occupational therapy scope of practice.
Some common areas addressed by OTs…
Preparatory Methods &
Limb Preparation
*Edema Control
*Skin Integrity
*Wound and Scar Management
*Pain Management
Preparatory Tasks &
Prosthetic Readiness
*Positioning
*Range of Motion Exercises
*Strength and Endurance Training
*Body Symmetry Tasks
*Sensitization and Desensitization
*Balance and Proprioception
*Transitioning Hand Dominance
Prosthetic Training
*Limb Awareness Activities
*Care of Prosthesis
*Controls Training
*Device Technology Use
*Adaptive Equipment and Strategies
*Fatigue Management and Energy Conservation Techniques
Education
*Conditions and Implications
*Psychosocial Support
*Prosthetic Options
*Understanding Technology
*Choosing a Prosthetist
Functional Activities
*Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
- Dressing
- Bathing, Toileting, Grooming
- Device Care
- Feeding
*Instrumental ADLs
- Caring for Others
- Driving
- Home Management
- Meal Preparation
- Shopping, Banking
*Rest and Sleep
*Work and School
Leisure Activities
*Leisure and Play Activities
*Social Participation
- Community
- Family
- Peer, Friend
This is not an exhaustive list; instead, it is simply meant to give you some ideas of the roles of OTs.
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Ultimately Occupational Therapists should work to ensure
Emotional Readiness * Physical Readiness * Functional Readiness
(AOTA, 2017; Gulick, 2016; Latour, 2015; Odum, n.d.; The OT Practice, 2021)
REFERENCES
American Occupational Therapy Association. (2017). Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and process (3rd ed.). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68(Supplement_1), S1–S48. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2014.682006
Gulick, K. L. (2016). Fact sheet: The occupational therapy role in rehabilitation for the person with an upper-limb amputation. American Occupational Therapy Association. https://www.aota.org/About-Occupational-Therapy/Professionals/RDP/upper-limb-amputation.aspx
Latour, D. (2015, May 4). Series: Upper Limb Prosthetics. [On-Demand Webinar]. OccupationalTherapy.com https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/ot-ceus/course/upper-limb-prosthetic-series-2441
Odum, T. (n.d.) Rehabilitation of the amputee. [Allied Health On-Demand Webinar]. Allied Health Education. https://alliedhealthed.com/product/rehabilitation-of-the-amputee-3/?term_id=27
The OT Practice. (2021). Amputations. https://www.theotpractice.co.uk/how-we-help/conditions/amputations