Question

An adolescent sustained a 50% total body surface area burn 3 months ago. The adolescent recently developed heterotopic ossification of both elbows as a secondary complication. Evaluation indicates the adolescent is able to actively flex both shoulders from 0° to 100° and both elbows from 45° to 90°. The adolescent currently requires assistance with feeding. Which compensatory strategy would be MOST BENEFICIAL for improving the adolescent's independence with self-feeding?

Answer 1

Compensatory strategy for improving independence with self-feeding

Explanation:

Limitation of shoulder or elbow range of motion due to fracture, dislocation or an injury like a burn injury will lead to flexion contracture.

This limits the patient’s ability to flex or extend the elbows freely to perform activities of daily living (ADL) like self-feeding, self-grooming etc.

Such patients should be assisted with supportive compensatory strategies to and improve their independence by aiding them perform their own ADLs.

Appropriate positioning of the patient and adjusting the height of the food table while eating, trunk swaying, tabletop propping, elbow orthoses like custom-cuffs, dynamic elbow orthoses, feeding utensils with customized handles to hold, robotic arm, and other mechanized orthoses can be utilized to improve independence with self-feeding.