FIZIOTHERAPI

Why new moms need Physicaltherapy

2013-03-01T10:29:00.004+03:00

Many of us know the utter importance of women having physical therapy services after giving birth. Although this was not stressed enough when were trained. It is expected of PTs to give special training to women before going to ceaserean section surgery or giving birth. Many times in our settings women are left clueless not knowing what to expect following surgery.

The benefits of physicaltherapy to mothers are

Managing urinary and faecal continence

Prevention of scar tissue adhesions
Prevention of pelvic pain
Managing low back pain
Wellness for future pregnancies and daily life

To learn more on this, I managed to get this nice article by modern mom.

The author, Ginger Garner who is also a Physical therapist puts in practise the "Be your own advocate" motto.

APTAs' history

2013-02-13T16:44:00.000+03:00

Association of Physicaltherapists of Tanzania (APTA) is more than 20 years old. This leaflet dates back during our students days...1995 or 1996. Almost all students in the photos are well known to some of us...now very senior PTs...

By then, most of us were interested in the association...

Let this serve as information to those who are studying Physiotherapy now..especially Tanzanians, as a brief history of APTA.

Meet The Richest Physical Therapists In The World

2012-05-15T10:47:00.001+03:00

Yes, we are in business, and can make us rich. A dream of many physios to own and run private clinics. There are physios who have managed successfully to do this and they are on the top...making money. This webiste www.nitin360.com is at the forefront of educating physio on managing clinics and how to increase their revenues tremendously. Nitin has plenty of articles and programs for us.

Today I am fascinated by this article Meet The Richest Physical Therapists In The World .

Have a succesful week!

(article with many thanks from http://www.nitin360.com/)
Admin

Who prescribes a wheelchair in Tanzania?

2012-03-29T17:07:00.002+03:00

Of recent inTanzania, a number of politicians have been distributing wheelchairs to persons with physical disabilities in their constituencies. A wheelchair is a medical equipment. It is great to receive a one, especially when those in need have nothing assist with their mobility neeeds. But, it requires the user to be assessed of his condition and be given professional advise on the do's and don'ts.

What do you think as rehab professionals?

The wheelchair has the same size. A good practice could be introducing proper padding techniques.

( Note the age and size differences of those sitting in the provided wheelchair! )

The Hon MP Vicky Kamata greeting one of the wheel chair beneficiaries. Can you tell of gentlemans' hand grip?

The gentleman as seen in his wheelchair...He surely needs extra padding to support his body posture!

A young girl receiving a wheelchair. (Crying?) With my physio experience this girl probably has CP. The wheelchair needs to be acustomed to her special needs

(Photos courtesy of Vicky Kamata blog)

Are disabled rights respected?

2012-02-10T08:53:00.000+03:00

( As published on Mwanahalisi Newspaper September 28 -October 4th 2011)

This lettter was to the editor of Mwanahalisi newpaper. It is an ordeal which happened to a parent of a child with disability who was on her way to find the "miracle cure from Loliondo for her childs' ailment.

Ms Karugendo is a mother of a child with disabilitiy, and on 18th of May 2011 she boarded the plane AURIC AIR enroute to Loliondo where there was a portion of "miracle cure" for chronic disease provided by the famous Retired Reverend Mwakipesile famously known as "Babu" in Tanzania.

Ms Karugendo narrates how she was harrased by the AURIC AIR crew. It happened that one passenger missed a seat and she was forced by the crew to get off the plane. Although she protested that her child was disabled and needed assistance, no one could hear her out. Eventually even other passsengers were against her . Some even promised her that they will take care of her child and also ensure she gets the "miracle portion". Her daugther is physically disabled and can neither talk nor see. At last she conceded defeat and went off the plane.

She had to wait at the airport till seven in the evening when the plane eventually returned from Loliondo, only to find her daughter with a running fever and has not being fed or changed diapers!!

This ordeal reminds me of the celebrated Persons with Disablities Act 9 of 2010, which has so many promises for persons with disabilities in Tanzania.
Do the folks in the transportation industry know the basic rights of persons with disability??

Admin

Happy Holidays & Wonderful new year 2012!

2011-12-23T17:23:00.000+03:00

I wish you happy holidays and a wonderful new year 2012!
Thank you for reading my blog!

Dorothy

How to Get Started with Email Marketing

2011-10-11T10:50:00.000+03:00

I love the internet! It has revolutionized they way we get information, there is a lot of educational materials, you just name it and google it. Still enjoying my the business educational website for small business marketing. This time I went through this article on How to Get Started with Email Marketing pbSmart Essentials. For those of us with private clinic business or any other related this can be a great tool.
Have a great day

Admin

10 Best How to Start a Small Business Websites

2011-10-07T15:49:00.000+03:00

A number of PTs would love to own a private clinic sometime in their lifetime. I am one of them, and to be honest I am not sure if my training did prepare me to become a good enterpreneur. Knowing so , I everyday try to learn something new in the business world. While searching the internet I found this interesting article...10 Best How to Start a Small Business Websites
Have a wonderful week
Admin

National Stroke Association: HOPE: A Stroke Recovery Guide

2011-10-03T15:40:00.001+03:00

A person I know well had a stroke about a fortnight ago. Luckily he had a mild stroke, and I knew for sure he will be attended by a Physio. On visiting him, I asked about his experience after the physio session...guess what was the answer? I will never go back !
Unfortunately the Physio who attend him gave him a heavy "drill"... of passive exercises and not much on the self care stuff which are important for a person with stroke.
So I thought it will be good for us to go through the basics of stroke from the patients perspective. A good revision for us all. So lets review this informative booklet, National Stroke Association: HOPE: A Stroke Recovery Guide

Have a great day...
Admin

Abdul post rehabilitation photos

2011-07-26T11:29:00.005+03:00

Looking happy and cheerful! Abdul after rehabilitation

Abdul before rehabilitation

Remember Abdul?

He was featured in this blog in January and February 2011 concerning his rehabiltation needs. Through joint efforts Abdul was attended at CCBRT Moshi. I would like to thank all those who made this visit possible. Congratulations to the CCBRT Moshi team. Keep up the good work.

International Course on Mullligan Concept

2011-02-25T11:06:00.003+03:00

MOBILIZATION WITH MOVEMENT IN EXTREMETIES AND SUSTAINED NATURAL APOPHYSEAL GLIDES FOR THE SPINE

Course Type: Mulligan A,B &C

To be Conducted by

Peter Van Dalen

Certified Mulligan Trainer from Netherlands

Assisted by

Jose Netten

PT, Manual therapist from Netherlands

For more information visit: www.bmulligan.com (2011 course details for Kenya)

Venue:

KENYA MEDICAL TRAINING COLLEGE, NBI CAMPUS

Date: 28th - 29th April 2011 (Mulligan C-Course (Advanced course )*

2nd - 5th May 2011 ( Mulligan A& B-Course )

Time: 8.30am. - 5:00 p.m.

Registration: Mulligan “C-Course” Kshs 5,000

Mulligan “A & B –Course Kshs 10,000

Foreign Physiotherapists US$ 150

*NB: Mulligan “C-course”(Advanced course) is for the Physiotherapists who attended Mulligan A & B-Courses held in may 2010. Those who may have trained elsewhere, have to produce a copy of the certificate before they are registered

Very few training slots(40) are available, book early to avoid inconveniences!

ORIGINAL MULLIGAN CERTIFICATES SHALL BE ISSUED

Contact Persons:

Mr. Daniel Muli Kangutu

(Head of Department, Physiotherapy-KMTC)

P O Box 30195-00100

Nairobi.

E-Mail: mulidk2004@yahoo.com

: dkangutu@kmtc.ac.ke

Tel; +254 (0) 7226 75 310

+254 (20) 2725711-4 Ext 47057

Mr. Dickson Okumu Agutu

(Chief Physiotherapist-KNH)

P O Box 20723-00202

Nairobi.

E-Mail: dagutu@yahoo.com

Tel;+254 (0) 723 018 998

+254 (0) 733 721 759

+254 (20) 2726300-19 Ext 43027/44515

Challenges of Rehabilitation......

2011-02-21T15:36:00.002+03:00

Photo courtesy of Michuzi blog (http://www.issamichuzi.blogspot.com/)

As our day to day activities in rehabilitation, Physios face a number of challenges. One such as Abdul's experience says a lot about our practices in our everyday encounters. Abdul has been to a professional and a reputable rehabilitation clinic more than once.
Abdul's father is asking very basics questions
1. How do I care for my son?
2. What kind of food should I give him?
3. Can I have a better chair for him?
Seeing these photos I asked my self....
1.What did the rehab therapist do when he/she was attending Abdul?
2. What advise was give to the family on his daily needs, handling , prognosis etc?
3. Did the therapist counsel the family?
4. Did the therapist inquire on the home situation about Abdul?

I know as professionals we are faced with a lot of challenges to ensure that our clients get the best therapy form us.
Lets discuss!

How can we help?

2011-01-11T14:42:00.000+03:00

Dear friends,

I found this information on the famous MICHUZI blogspot. How can we help as Physio's? I am sure if we organise ourselves as APTA the child can benefit from our vast knowledge.

The issue here is not money, I think we can teach the family and relatives how to take care of this lovely boy, including local made aids.

Kindly email me for suggestions and ideas

Globu ya Jamii na Marafiki katika kumsaidia mtoto Abdully imefungua akaunti maalumu kama wadau mlivyoomba ili ikiwezekana asaidiwe yeye na baba yake. Vile vile msaada sio lazima pesa bali hata nguo, viatu na vitu vingine kwa ajili ya mtoto kama Abdully. Kutoa ni Moyo. Akaunti hiyo ni:

ACCOUNT NUMBER 014194

ABDUL MAHMOUD MIRROW
FEDERAL BANK OF MIDDLE EAST LTD
SAMORA BRANCH
DAR ES SALAAM
SWIFT CODE: fbmetztzKwa maelezo zaidi piga kwa Auntie Mariam
+255 754 280 495

Mtoto Abdully

Tuombe msaada kuwasaidia wenzetu ambao ni
mtihani kutoka kwa Mwenyezi Mungu...

Ninakuomba kama mtanzania mwenzangu tupeane hamasa ya kupendana na kusaidiana sio katika sherehe za starehe tuu, zaidi siku hizi tuzidishe kusaidiana katika shida maana sasa shida zinazidi siku hadi siku.

Katika pitapita zangu, nimekutana na mtoto huyu Abdully mwenye ulemavu wa viungo huko Kaole, Bagamoyo. Kula kwake kwa taabu, haongei, ingawa anacheka akifurahishwa, na kulia kwa kupiga kelele akiudhiwa au akiwa na maumivu ingawa hawezi kuelekeza maumivi yako wapi.

Cha kusikitisha, mama yake mzazi amemkimbia mtoto na mume, baba nae ameanza kukata tamaa ya mwanae kwa kukosa muelekeo na msaada (support). Baba (Bw. Hamoud) anaishi na mama yake mzazi ambaye ni mtu mzima mwenye matatizo ya kiafya, macho na thyrod eshafanyiwa upasuaji nk... sasa Bw Hamoud ameacha shughuli za kutafuta fedha za kukimu maisha ili aweze kumlea kijana Abdul (4) ananza asubuhi kwa kumuosha, kumlisha kifungua kinywa..... mchana kumlisha anakula kwa taabu maana ulimi hauzunguki sawa sawa kama vile umepooza, na koo halimezi vizuri.... jioni anamsafisha na kumlisha.... maisha yamekuwa duni, kwa hivyo hata malezi ya Abdul yamekuwa magumu mno...

Alishauriwa ampeleke hospitali ya CCBRT, nae baada ya kwenda hapo alishauriwa ampeleke kwa physiotherapy kila wiki, tatizo la Bw Hamoud ni usafiri kutoka Kaole hadi msasani CCBRT ni wa daladala na mtoto mwenye ulemavu wa viuongo si mchezo... mlemavu wa aina hii anaweza kuwa na haja kubwa au ndogo mahali popote wakati wowote hata mkiwa ndani ya daladala huduma yake ngumu hapo ni mtihani...

Hapo CCBRT wanaweza kushinda kutwa kabla ya kupata huduma kipindi hicho cha kusubiri mtoto amebebwa au kupakatwa, chakula hakuna, na pahala pa kumlaza aweze anaglau kunyoosha viuongo hakuna. wahudumu wanapita na kumuangalia hapo katika foleni bila kumpa tamaa au hata nasaha. Jioni usafiri wa wa kubanana ndani ya daladala kurudi Bagamoyo, pikipiki hadi Kaole.... Baba Abdul kaishiwa nguvu ameshindwa. Wapo Kaole wanasubiri hatma ya Mwenyezi Mungu.

Abdul amepewa ki "baiskeli" cha mtoto (push chair) na akiwekwa hapo lazima afungwe na khanga ndio akae kwa usalama na kwa sasa anabanwa hapo....

Hivyo basi Kama kuna wasamaria
wenye huruma na hali hii, wanaomba:

1. Wheelchair ya kawaida Abdul akae
kwa usalama na awe na nafasi viungo viwe huru

2. Ushauri kwa kiafya

3. Ushauri wowote, na msaada wowote
utakaoweza kutoa afueni kwa Abdul na baba yake Hamoud

mpigie simu Hamoud
+255 757 652449 na +255 787 771566 kwa msaada au ushauri. Juhudi za kufungua
akaunti maalumu zinafanywa kwa wenye
kutaka kumsaidia mtoto Abdully

Mdau Dar
Mtoto Abdully anaomba msaada wako
Abdully akiwa amebebwa na nyaya yake
Abdully anasimama na kulala kwa shida...

(Picha na maneno kwa hisani ya MICHUZI

Heri za sikukuu na mwaka mpya

2010-12-28T15:48:00.000+03:00

Tunawatakia heri ya sikukuu na mwaka mpya 2011.
Tunategemea utakuwa mwaka wa baraka na mafanikio makubwa kwa kila mmoja wenu

The Persons with Disabilities Act, 2010

2010-11-23T14:33:00.002+03:00

As part of the disability fratenity, I am proud having the disability act. Yes we have it. It is the Act no.9 of 2010. Signed by our Hon. President on 20th May 2010.
You can download it here and please scroll down untill you see Persons with Disabilities Act
http://www.parliament.go.tz/bunge/act.php.

" An Act to make provisions for health care, social support, accessibility, rehabilitation, education and vocational trainig, communication , employment or work protection and promotion of basic rights for person with disabilities and to provide for related matters."

As professionals working together with persons with disabilities it is important we understand this document.
Happy reading.
Welcoming your comments

Ten good reasons why physical therapists should visit the Netherlands next year

2010-11-05T09:45:00.000+03:00

If there ever was a good moment to travel to the Netherlands, next year is your time. Here are ten good reasons to be in the land of tulips, windmills and knee-deep culture in June 2011.

1. The International WCPT Congress

It’s the biggest world gathering of physical therapists, it’s a unique opportunity to get a new perspective on your work, it only happens every four years and this time it’s in Amsterdam. You can read about the exciting programme at www.wcpt.org/congress/prelim-programme , but what the programme doesn’t show you is how much physical therapists who attend congresses get out of it. “The congress has remained in my memory since as a remarkable and inspiring experience,” said one past delegate.

2. Van Gogh

There are 141 art galleries in Amsterdam alone, and if you want to see Dutch Masters – Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Vermeer – there is no better place. There are 206 paintings by Van Gogh in Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum and if that’s not enough, you can go to the Kröller-Müller Museum, where there are a further 278. And if you’ve had enough Van Gogh, you can always resort to Amsterdam’s 51 museums, 16,000 annual concerts and theatrical performances, 55 theatres or 42 church organs.

3. The house of Anne Frank

The Anne Frank House on Prinsengracht canal is a museum dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank, who hid from Nazi persecution with her family in hidden rooms at the rear of the building. The museum shows the hiding place, an exhibition on the life and times of Anne Frank, and highlights all forms of persecution and discrimination.

4. Alkmaar

This picturesque city, to the north of Amsterdam, is one of the top attractions of the Netherlands. It preserves a 17th-century pattern of canals and narrow streets and has many historic buildings. The city is famous for its nightlife and traditional cheese market, held every Friday.

5. An easy gateway to Europe

Getting to Holland is easy – Amsterdam Schiphol airport is one of the largest in Europe and served by more than 100 airlines. There are other smaller airports in Rotterdam, the Hague and Eindhoven and other cities, which accommodate many low cost carriers. The Netherlands has a famously efficient transport system – helped by the fact that the terrain is so flat. Once you’re in Amsterdam, getting around is simple – by foot (it takes 45 minutes to walk from one side of the city to the other), tram, canal bus, or bike. And there’s nowhere better to start or end a European tour, with Brussels, Berlin, London, Paris and Copenhagen all within 500 miles.

6. Canals and narrow streets

There’s little that can beat the sight of tall Amsterdam houses reflected in a calm canal. If you come to Amsterdam, you’ll see the scene quite a lot: there are 165 canals, 1,281 bridges, 8 wooden drawbridges and 2,500 houseboats.

7. Windmills

They may sound a bit of a cliché, but the Netherlands’ windmills are worth seeing because they are far more than ornament. They were developed for corn milling, land drainage, saw milling and other industrial purposes, and helped shape the country. There are 1150 of them to see, eight of them in Amsterdam.

8. Cafe culture

After Scandinavians, the Dutch are the world's biggest coffee drinkers, so you’ll discover a massive range of cafes with a massive range of coffees.

9. Green destination

Amsterdam markets itself as a “green destination”. Voted one of the greenest cities in Europe, it boasts restaurants with sustainable menus, more bicycles than cars, green taxis, low CO² boats and environmentally-conscious hotels.

10. The International WCPT Congress

Did we mention this before? The beauty of combining a holiday with a visit to the WCPT congress is that WCPT has teamed up with RAI Hotel and Travel Service to provide discounted hotel rates for congress delegates. Saving you time, money and hassle their online reservation system (www.wcpt.org/node/35067) allows you to search for hotels by star rating and area. Additionally you can view a map showing the location of the hotel in relation to the congress centre and find detailed information about each hotel. Discounted room rates at the official hotels are limited.

www.wcpt.org/congress/registration

(Text courtesy of WCPT)

Literature review:Precautions after Midline Sternotomy

2010-11-01T13:31:00.003+03:00

Dear coleagues

I´m pleased to inform you that the results from our study on precautions after midline sternotomy are now avaiable on line ( se below)

I´m sending this mail to you as contact persons for each country, so you can forward to the other colleagues in your country who are part of our network.

The swedish guidelines for chestphysiotherapy after abdominal and thoracic surgery are avaiable as well :
http://www.sjukgymnastforbundet.se/profession/kvalitetsutv/Sidor/Kliniskariktlinjer.aspx

Med venlig hilsen

Barbara Brocki
Specialeansvarlig fysioterapeut
99 322988
http://uk.mc271.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=bcb@rn.dk

AALBORG SYGEHUS
Ergoterapi- og Fysioterapiafdelingen
Afsnit A
Hobrovej 18-22
9000 Aalborg
http://www.aalborgsygehus.rn.dk/

Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2010 Jan 3. [Epub ahead of print]
Precautions related to midline sternotomy in cardiac surgery A review of mechanical stress factors leading to sternal complications.
Brocki BC, Thorup CB, Andreasen JJ.

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Center for Cardiovascular Research, Aalborg Hospital, Aarhus University Hospital, Hobrovej, postboks 365, DK-9100 Aalborg, Denmark;

Department of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, Aalborg Hospital, Aarhus University Hospital, Hobrovej, postboks 365, DK-9100 Aalborg, Denmark.

BACKGROUND: After midline sternotomy patients are instructed on activity precautions to avoid sternal wound complications. We questioned how restrictive these precautions must be, since they can lead to a postoperative decrease in quality of life.

AIMS: To identify mechanical stress factors causing sternal instability and infection in order to create evidence based guidelines for activity following sternotomy.

METHODS: Literature review.

RESULTS: No evidence was found to support weight limitation regarding activity, as long as the upper arms are kept close to the body and activity is within a pain-free range.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Avoid stretching both arms backwards at the same time (10days); loaded activities should be done with the elbows close to the body (eight weeks); only move arms within a pain-free range; use leg rolling with counterweighing when getting in and out of bed; when coughing cross the arms in a "self-hugging" posture; supportive bra or vest is recommended when breast cup>/=D, body mass index>/=35 or frequent cough.

CONCLUSION: This study provides insights into mechanical stress factors acting upon sternum and the overlying skin. Recommendations on activity precautions based on these finding have a patient supportive approach focusing on possibilities and not restrictions.

Copyright © 2009 European Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
PMID: 20051323 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

CBR guidelines published

2010-10-28T13:10:00.003+03:00

(Photo courtesy of WHO website)

The WHO has published CBR guidelines. For those of us working in the community it is important to read and make use of this information. The document can be downloaded from this link http://www.who.int/disabilities/cbr/guidelines/en/index.html

Toka "Mzoeza viungo" hadi "Mfiziotherapia"

2010-10-27T13:47:00.003+03:00

Tume toka mbali...jamani mama cheza, baba cheza, mzoeza viungo haya ni baadhi ya majina tuliyopewa sisi katika taaluma yetu. Nakumbuka kuna baadhi ya watu walikuwa hawawezi kuficha hisia zao pale waliposikia mteja akitamka, "Nimeandikiwa nikaonane na mama cheza"!

Ni kweli wengine lilitukera lakini tulikaa kimya tu. Wengine wetu walichukua muda kuwaelimisha wateja sisi ni nani. Naona sasa hata wale wataalam wa utumishi nchini wamelitambua hilo na sasa wametupa jina stahiki (kwa matazamo wangu) "mFiziotherapia". Tunashukuru.

Ninafikiri pia bado tuna kazi ya kuendelea kuwaelimisha waajiri, kada nyingine za afya na wateja wetu jinsi ambavyo tungependa tutambulike.

Kazi njema Fiziotherapisti!

Physical therapy for animals

2010-10-25T15:32:00.001+03:00

Ever heard of this term before? Yes now we have PTs who are experts in animals only.It sound so interesting, I wish a could see a "gait training session for a dog or a horse". Some of the interventions that can be done are mentioned below....

Therapeutic exercise
Manual therapy
Therapeutic massage
Scar tissue massage
Strengthening
Range of motion
Stretching
Muscle spasm and trigger point relief
Gait and functional re-training
Ultrasound
Electrical stimulation
Heat
Cold
Hydrotherapy / Swimming

For more information please click here http://www.pt4animals.com/Default1578.html?tabid=884

New experience kwa kaka Mathew....barafuu!

2010-10-22T18:33:00.000+03:00

This is new experience for Mr Mathew Shayo a PT from KCMC- Moshi who is now in Norway!

Tujadili kuhusu aina hii ya wheelchair

2010-10-22T14:06:00.002+03:00

Wadau tujadili kuhusu aina hii ya wheelchair.

Niliwahi kujadiliana na Fizio fulani hivi akaniambia "It is better than nothing". Hata mimi nakubaliana naye, zimesaidia kuwatoa watu wenye ulemavu wa aina mbalimbali toka sehemu moja hadi nyingine. Angalau.

Lakini mimi hofu yangu ni kuhusu "wasomi wa Afrika hasa Tanzania" , wheelchair hii ilibuniwa na mmarekani mmoja baada ya kuona shida wanayopata walemavu wa dunia ya tatu. Wheelchair hii imegawiwa maelfu kwa maelfu kwa wahitaji na wengine wametoka ndani ya nyumba zao kwa mara ya kwanza.

Je, hatujaweza na sisi kutoka na teknolojia rahisi??

Je, kwa wale ambao ziantumika maeneo yenu ya kazi, zina faida na hasara gani??

Kwa maelezo zaidi kuhusu aina hii ya wheelchair, bofya hapa

http://www.freewheelchairmission.org/site/c.fgLFIXOJKtF/b.4916275/k.BE91/Home.htm

Sasa kuna WHO wheelchair guidelines

2010-10-22T13:57:00.003+03:00

The WHO has come up with a wheelchair guideline. This may not be new to some of us, but I think it is important to read through.

According to the WHO, "The wheelchair is one of the most commonly used assistive devices for enhancing the personal mobility of people with disabilities. An estimated 1% of the world's population, or just over 65 million people, need a wheelchair. In most developing countries, few of those who need wheelchairs have access, production facilities are insufficient and wheelchairs are often donated without the necessary related services. Providing wheelchairs that are appropriate, well-designed and fitted not only enhances mobility, but also opens up a world of education, work and social life for those in need of such support." (WHO).

To download these guidelines click here
http://www.who.int/disabilities/publications/technology/wheelchairguidelines/en/index.html

Leprosy posters, educational materials

2010-10-20T09:03:00.000+03:00

A poster on Leprosy disease and how it causes disability (Photo courtesy of TLM website)

A leprosy patient with loss of sensation on feet fitted with protective sandals (Photo courtesy of TLM website)

Educational materials for hands with loss of sensation (Photo courtesy of TLM website)

Leprosy is a disabling disease, take part in preventing disability

2010-10-20T08:20:00.000+03:00

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. The disease mainly affects the skin and the peripheral nerves. Classification: The clinical system of classification for the purpose of treatment includes the use of number of skin lesions and nerves involved as the basis for grouping leprosy patients into multibacillary (MB) > than 5 skin lesions and paucibacillary (PB) leprosy (less than 5 skin lesions). Diagnosis of leprosy:Diagnosis of leprosy is most commonly based on the clinical signs and symptoms which are easy to observe.

· skin lesion with definite sensory loss,

thickened nerves mainly peripheral-most affected being ulnar, common peroneal and posterior tibialis
weakness of muscles supplied by the affected nerve.

Duration of Treatment: Leprosy is treat by Multi Drug therapy (MDT) . MB treatment takes 12 month and PB treatment takes 6 months. Role of Physiotherapists in Leprosy. Physiotherapy plays an important role in preventing, arresting and correcting deformities.

To recognize early signs of nerve damage in leprosy patients and refer for further treatment.
To relieve pain from neuritis and swelling during reaction using various modalities such elevation, static and dynamic splinting of affected joint, active and assisted exercises.
To train people affected by leprosy on exercises during reactions to maintain muscle strength and joint mobility.
To train people affected by leprosy on self care of eyes, hand and feet including functional exercises to prevent joint stiffness, muscle wasting and deformities.
To treat PALs using various physical therapy modalities to prevent worsening of impairments and to reduce disabilities from patients with severe deformities.
To assess PALs undergoing reconstructive surgery, and perform pre and post operative care.

Points for indicators in leprosy M&E

New case detection

Treatment completion rate

% of grade 2 disability

% of female

% of children

% MB patients

% of defaulters

Number of relapses

% of correctly disagnosed cases

% with new disabilites

How much are we as Physiotherapists involved in Leprosy work in our country?