inMotion Magazine

November | December 2018 30 Therapists and clinicians worldwide often rely on peers to learn about the intricate processes of upper- limb absence rehabilitation. Broadly standardized institutional education does not exist. Lacking access to relevant findings while upper-limb prostheses rapidly evolve means many clinicians won’t meet patients’ needs or expectations. The handsmart group, a nonprofit group of international occupational and physical therapists, along with a prosthetist, formed to guide practitioners in areas where there are gaps in knowledge. Since 2016, 12 independent experts from Austria, Sweden, Canada, Australia, Germany and the U.S. have worked to create an open source platform for sharing resources. Its goal is multipronged: to enhance public awareness of the upper-limb prosthesis community, establish a network of peer professionals, support clinical practices with rehabilitation resources and acquire sources of consistent funding. “We collaborate, form smaller working groups and decide on our projects by being inclusive of others’ perspectives and have increased awareness by representing the work we’re doing nationally and internationally,” explains Sandra Ramdial, operations manager for orthotics and prosthetics at a children’s rehabilitation hospital in Toronto. Upper-limb amputation or congenital malformation cases can vary, depending on the level of function of the residual limb. Robust care plans may include up to a dozen phases with multiple levels of prosthesis training in addition to managing amputation postoperative pain, community integration and lasting healthcare usage. Psychological support is recommended for the 70 percent of amputees losing upper limbs to traumatic events. Julie Klarich, a certified hand therapist in Denver, Colorado and a member of handsmart, says seamless By Anna Sutterer Breaking Down Barriers Photo Copyright ©Ottobock