Today in occupational therapy I asked if I could use the Hand CPM Machine, a medical device that provides continuous passive motion to fingers. I want to focus more attention to my hands, fingers and wrists. My occupational therapist asked a colleague of hers that’s a hand therapist at the Fredericton Regional Hospital to borrow it a week ago. Last week we tried to use it but the gloves were medium and it did not fit my hands. Today when I asked about it she did get a large pair of gloves and said we could try it if I wanted to. So we did.
The hand CPM machine is not designed to help treat people with nerve damage like Guillain Barre Syndrome but I feel it may help. It’s not going to hurt to try, so why not. By using the CPM machine it will help keep my fingers and joints to stay loose and not so tight by stretching them. My hope is that it will help with my range of motion in my fingers. It’s also my hope that it helps stimulate more signal to my hands and fingers. More movements the better for any body parts while going through GBS. You got to keep your legs, arms, hands, fingers and everything moving. The hand CPM medical device is not going to heal my nerves but I believe I’ll benefit from using it.
I tried it for about 15-20 minutes today and it felt good. I provides both flexion and extension for my fingers. The CPM machine is programmed to what degree or strength you want it set to. I only used it a short time today but it’s also the first time I touched my left thumb to my index finger. I couldn’t do that before. Did it help or will using this machine help me going forward? I think so! I’m looking to use this everyday if I can.
More work and attention is needed on my hands. Hopefully they’ll have the CPM machine here for a while. If not then I asked if I could be referred to a hand therapist at the Fredericton Hospital. I’m not sure on that one if it’s possible but it’s been brought up. I’m all about trying new things like this CPM machine. If it can’t hurt you and has perhaps a chance to help you why not. I’m willing to do anything or try anything if it can improve my recovery from Guillain Barre Syndrome. Thinking outside the box is always good and being open to try things. I’m less then 40 days away from possible discharge and I’m focusing more on areas that need improvement.
Hand CPM Machine 6000 OrthoAgility Medical Device
It’s a definitely a neat medical device but expensive. This machine here is $13,000… When it comes to medical equipment, disability equipment, basically everything in the health field is super expensive. I’m happy that my occupational therapist thought about this machine a while back for me to try. I’m glad she is open to the idea of me using it everyday to see if it may help me. It would be research to perhaps use on other patients. I was able to touch my left thumb to my index finger so maybe it helped.
We’ll see how things go using it daily going forward. Hoping it helps with improvements in my hands and fingers. Who knows maybe they’ll use this with future Guillain Barre Syndrome patients to help them at The Stan Cassidy Rehabilitation Centre? I’ll be the first test subject. Looking forward to seeing the results going forward from using it.
Healing In Motion
Research continues to demonstrate that moving a limb or joint aids rehabilitation and leads to better outcomes. By combining active physical therapy along with a Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) device, it is possible to significantly increase joint range of motion.