An OT practitioner is evaluating a client whose primary complaint is the inability to raise her arm to reach high cabinets and shelves
The therapist notes a very tight mature scar band crossing the client's posterior axilla that is lim-iting full shoulder motion. What should the therapist do?
A. Initiate stretching exercises for shoulder flexion.
B. Explore assistive devices or compensatory strategies to reach items.
C. Fit the client with a clavicular strap.
D. A and C.
ANS: B
Restructuring of collagen linkage in immature scars is possible with positioning, splinting, pres-sure, and exercise. In this scenario the key word is mature. The therapist must be able to recog-nize when scar maturation has occurred. Mature scars are no longer amenable to change through therapy intervention and require surgery to reverse contracture. At this stage the therapist should focus therapy efforts on maximizing the client's ability to perform occupations despite the cli-ent's existing motion limitations.
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