If you have a surgery coming up, it is natural to feel a little nervous. Thinking about the procedure itself, as well as the necessary amount of time you’ll spend recovering, can seem a bit intimidating. At Hands for Living, we want to make sure that your surgery is as smooth as it can be and that your recovery process is as quick and easy as possible.
Living Hands for
SPECIALTY EXPERTISE For Shoulders, Arms, and Hands
NEWSLETTER
Making theMost ofYour Surger y 5Tips for aComfortable Recovery
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Living Hands for
SPECIALTY EXPERTISE For Shoulders, Arms, and Hands
NEWSLETTER
Making the Most of Your Surgery 5 Tips for a Comfortable Recovery
out with daily tasks. However, there are a few things you can do beforehand to make your recovery comfortable:
If you have a surgery coming up, it is natural to feel a little nervous. Thinking about the procedure itself, as well as the necessary amount of time you’ll spend recovering, can seem a bit intimidating. At Hands for Living, we want to make sure that your surgery is as smooth as it can be and that your recovery process is as quick and easy as possible. Upper extremity surgeries can pose difficult recoveries, as you will likelyhave to limit the use of the affected arm or immobilize the arm in a sling. Our Certified HandTherapists (CHTs) will help in guiding you through your rehabilitation and preparing for your surgerybeforehand.To learnmore about our hand therapy services and how they can help speed up your recovery time, contact Hands for Living today at 425-368-7943. What Can I Do to Prepare for Surgery? When you’re recovering, you’ll want to make sure everything is as easy for you as possible. You may be unable to return to work for a few weeks, and you may need someone to help you
1. Prepare meals beforehand and leave them in the freezer. It’ll be difficult to cook meals while you are recovering and you likely won’t have the energy to do so for at least the first week. Prepare a few dishes beforehand thatyou can easilyfreeze and heat up for yourself after your procedure. 2. Make realistic estimates on how long you’ll be out of work. Being awayfromwork for a given period of time can be stressful, especiallywhen those medical bills start coming through. Ifyou are realistic about the timeyou’ll need to spend awayfromwork in order to recover,you’ll be able to better prepareyour finances.
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Making the Most of Your Surgery 5 Tips for a Comfortable Recovery
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It is likely that you may have to save up more money in the time leading up toyour surgery, in order to accommodate for the time you’ll be off. If you are unsure about the length of your recovery period, your doctor should be able to provide you with a better idea. 3. Have loose-fitting clothes easily accessible in the days following your surgery. Simple dailytasks, such as getting dressed in the morning, can prove to be difficult after undergoing a surgical procedure of your upper extremities. It is likely that immobilization may also be required, meaning thatyoumayhave to wear a sling or brace following surgery, making it even more difficult to move the affected body part. Make sure to plan out loose-fitting outfits for the days followingyour surgerythat are easy to take on and off, and put them in a place that is easilyaccessible foryou.This will make it easier for you to get dressed in the morning, without having to struggle with tight or complicated clothing. 4. Ask for help around the house. There are some dailytasks thatyou simply will not be able to do for a while following
surgery, such as yard work and tidying up around your home. Chores such as vacuuming, mowing the lawn, doing dishes, weeding theyard, or carrying loads of laundry will be challenging and likely recommended against, at least in the first few weeks of your recovery. Anything that is physically demanding on theupperextremitiesmayputunnecessary strain on the recovering body part, thus lengthening the healing process. Byhaving your family, friends, roommates, etc., help out around the house, you’ll be able to comfortablyrecover while still making sure chores get completed. If needed, you can even pay someone to come byand do some of the more difficult chores for you, such as strenuous yard work. 5. Consult with a occupational therapist. At Hands for Living, we want to help make your surgery and recovery as safe, easy, quick, and comfortable as possible for you. If you have an upper extremity surgery coming up and you’d like to discuss setting up a “before and after” treatment plan, schedule a consultation with one of our hand therapists today.
We’d be happy to set up an appointment for you and get you started on the path toward pain relief, improved function, and a speedy recovery. You use your hands every day – don’t make your recovery time harder on yourself. Contact Hands for Living today! To find out more about how we can help you care for your hands before and after surgery, call us at 425-368-7943 or visit us online at www.handsforliving.com.
Liv Hand for
Living Hands for
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Fun & Games SUDOKU
Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms
The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once.
INGREDIENTS • 20 medium mushrooms • 1/4cupchoppedshallots,scallions or onion • 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar • 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce • 2 cups chopped fresh spinach • 1/2 cup plain organic greekyogurt • Salt and pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS Wash the mushrooms and carefully remove the stems without breaking the caps. Finely chop the stems. Combine the shallots, garlic and vinegar in a small skillet or saucepan and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.Addthechoppedmushroomstemsandsoysauceandcook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5minutes, until the mushrooms soften andreleasetheir juices.Addthespinachandcook,continuingtostir, until it is wilted and the liquid in the pan is absorbed. Remove from theheatand letcoolforafewminutes,thenstir intheyogurt.Season with salt and pepper to taste. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Stuff the spinach filling into the mushroom caps. Place the mushrooms in a baking pan and bake for 20 minutes, until tender. Remove from the oven and let sit for a fewminutes for the filling to set before serving. Yields 20 mushrooms. http://www.organicitsworthit.org/make/spinach-stuffed-mushrooms
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Hand Exercise Helps With Weakness and Pain
Patient Spotlight
HAND TENDON GLIDES
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“I am so thankful for the help I received at Hands for Living.” “ From the moment I first walked into the office I felt supported and listened to. I went from hardly being able to use my left hand to being able to complete many daily tasks that I wondered if I ever would. I can now use an electric can opener and carry a shopping bag. I so appreciate this professional office. Thank you to JoAnn and Melissa!” - Shellie H.
www.simpleset.net
1. Hold your hand up with fingers straight. 2. Curl finger tips as shown. 3. Straighten fingers and thumb to make a “duck-bill.”4. Curl fingers at middle joints as shown. 5. Curl finger tips into palm. At each interval, hold for 5 seconds. Repeat the entire exercise 10 times.
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