It works! (so far anyway)
Entry posted by GeorgeLesley
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Jean, tried to post reply to your question, not successful, still learning this blog thing. Anyway, an OT will fit you initially, lots of measurements, etc, then will adjust for you upon delivery. The good news is that it works, at least for me. Your results may vary. After two days of use, the hand is much less swollen, can actually see the tendons again. May actually be able to get the ring off again soon. The fingers are straighter than they have been since the stroke. I can hold the hands together as in praying (probably not a bad idea to do more of that) and now the fingers touch, except for the index finger, together all the way. The index finger still has a tiny bit of crook in it but getting better every treatment. It takes a lot of adjustment, good if you or your caregiver are are mechanically inclined. I think the adjustments may be part of the therapy. I have found using a lighter spring is better, 45 minutes of a heavy spring gets tiring quickly. If you can use it at all, this thing will definitely increase your grip strength. I can now do the side to side finger separation, interupted the movie we were watching last night to show the wife the "Mr Spock" of star trek peace sign, gapping the two middle fingers. First time I could do that since the stroke. Not sure the wife was impressed, but I was. Still have a lot to spasity (sp) in the hand and wrist, but less than before. A least the fingers don't look or feel like overstuffed sausages anymore. Reading this forum I have come to realize that I was just a few neurons away from being a lot worse off than I am. Kudos to those fighting tougher battles than I ever could every day. The doctors say my stroke would have been worse except I was in pretty good shape at the time, ate right, cholesterol was good, non-smoker, Normal weight, etc. I really don't believe that. A stroke is what it is. I had no control over which vessels clotted off. I do think that my general condition has helped my recovery though. It sure would be easy to give up and let my caregiver do it all. But yesterday was a busy day, PT in AM then a "I am exhausted nap", then snow blowed the driveway for one hour, then the Bowflex and exercise bike for an hour, shower (need them often, I sweat more now), then the Saeboflex for 45 minutes. Slept well indeed. Will talk more abouit the Bowflex later, great machine, use it everyday. Also have a few more gizmos and gadgets to talk about. More later, time for the AM Saeboflex session.
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