Helping clients improve their upper limb strength and function is crucial in completing activities of daily living.

The Upper Limb Clinic, based at the Frankton Active One site, aims to support individuals experiencing issues such as restricted range of motion in their fingers, wrist, elbow or shoulders, reduced strength, hand tremors, and/or pain in completing daily living tasks. 

 

We see clients with a variety of diagnoses including post-stroke (CVA) and other acquired brain injuries, or musculoskeletal conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

 

Active One OTs conduct thorough assessment and plan interventions to improve clients’ upper limb functioning to increase participation in ADLs such as using cutlery, opening jars, doing buttons up and pegging up clothes.  

 

Small aid prescription to improve upper limb function is also considered, including assistance to arrange trials, and invoices for funding as required.

 

Regular goal-setting and re-assessment are integral to successful outcomes and clients are expected to participate in homework tasks to ensure carry-over of their improved function into everyday life.

 

The clinic has capacity for home-based assessment and therapy if travelling within the community is difficult.

 

Active One OTs can assist with designing a goal-focused upper limb therapy program and providing the NDIS with the clinical rationale to justify this within a client’s NDIS plan.