Physical Therapy
Joann Keller, O.T., left, and Laurie Newsome, P.T., occupational and physical therapists from Kleinert, Kutz & Associates, fit Jerry Fisher for his first orthotic device. Fisher is the nation's second hand transplant recipient.
(Photo courtesy of Jewish Hospital; Kleinert, Kutz and Associates Hand Care Center; and University of Louisville [caption: www.handtransplant.org])
Physical therapy begins anywhere from a few hours to a few days after the transplantation procedure. The patient’s new hand will initially be very limited in its function, and the patient must go through an intense physical therapy program to develop it into a useful body part. Clint Hallam, the recipient of the world’s first successful hand transplant, endured physical therapy twice daily for several weeks following his operation. During the early stages of the therapy, great care is taken to ensure that the hand is properly braced and protected. The physical therapy is multifaceted in its approach; a wide variety of exercises are performed, some by the patient himself and others by a therapist manipulating the graft.
While exercising on a stationary bicycle, Matthew Scott moves several fingers on his transplanted left hand. It has been one week since his surgery at Jewish Hospital. Photo by Patrick Pfister.
(Photo courtesy of Jewish Hospital; Kleinert, Kutz and Associates Hand Care Center; and University of Louisville [caption: www.handtransplant.org])
Some aspects of physical therapy for the hand recipient
• Range of motion exercises
• Mild electrical stimulation
• Exercises incorporating splinting
• Fine movement exercises (pinching, dealing cards, stacking cups,
etc.)
(Physical therapy aspects adopted from Jones,
et. al., New England Journal of Medicine)
A short video clip showing some of the typical physical therapy exercises for these patients can be found at the following link:
http://www.handtransplant.com/patient/matthew_scott/112299.mov
