4th Specialist review & 5th Occupational Therapy (9.5.07)

09 May 2007

Monthly update
Another month has past... I am experiencing stiffness at the wrist, knuckles and the mid joints. I can't bend these joints, which the knuckles is the most serious. My 3rd finger is visibly shortened and I have problem straighten my 3rd finger. I also have difficulty pushing my wrist backward. Aching and tension can still be felt at my wrist, knuckles, mid joints and at the vicinity of the fracture, but with decreased frequency. Pain is only sensed at my 3rd knuckles. Plus while exercising, I can feel that my 2nd finger is jerking and the "clark-clark" sensation can still be felt at the fracture. In addition, I also experienced unknown swelling weeks ago...

Learning to wite with my left hand again
Since 29.4.07, I have been learning to write using my left hand. I am dexterous and this is my self-initiated exercise to improve flexibility of my left hand. I am born left-handed, but I'm corrected to right-handed at a young age. Although I can still write legibly using my left hand, my left-handwriting remains at kindergarten standard. By learning to write with my left hand again, I hope my left-handwriting would improve to be of equal standard as my right-handwriting soon...

4th Specialist review (9.5.07)
On the morning of 9.5.07, Mumy and I board the usual 70min bus #21 ride and we were actually early...

After registering myself at Clinic B1A, I was directed to the Radiology Department to have my X-ray taken. My specialist for today is Dr Leon Foo Siang Shen. After examining the X-ray, Dr Leon stated that recovering is good and scheduled my next appointment on 4.7.07, with a two months interval in between. Unfit for duty, I was issued another 30 days MC till 7.6.07. Dr Foo also issued an additional "light duty" plus "excuse left hand and upper limb" excuse till 7.7.07...

As my "AQUREA" moisturising cream is almost used up, I requested Dr Leon for another tube...

5th Occupational Therapy (9.5.07)
Arriving at the Department of Occupational Therapy, Pei Fen conducted the usual Q&A and measurement before commencing treatment. To further improve flexibility, Pei Fen recommended fluidotheraphy. For this treatment, I had to put my left hand into a machine filled with sand, which would be circulated by heat to about 43°C. I can still endure the heat initially, but as time goes by, the temperature gets to hot for my hand and I starts getting very uneasy and restless. Furthermore, I do not know how long this treatment would last. After the 15min, the fluidotheraphy ended, my left hand is completely red, which Pei Fen teased that I get red very easily...

Following next is the red power putty exercise. By squeezing the power putty with my fingers against my palm, I would be exercising the flexor muscles for a full grip. The second exercise requires spreading my fingers out fast to transform the power putty into a thick pancake shape and place my fingers on it. This would exercise the extensor and abductor muscles. For the next exercise, the power putty was placed on my palm. I had to dig my fingertips deep into the putty, which trained my flexor muscles and strengthens my fingers to their maximum closure. Lastly, I had to mould part of the power putty around two of my fingers while they are closed together and then spread them apart. This exercise trained the abductor muscles... After the tedious 12min power putty exercise, Pei Fen brought me to a rack and instructed me to move 5 water cans from one level to another for the next 4min...

Yellow stress ball
Before the end of today session, Pei Fen gave me a stress ball, which was also recommended by Dr Leon to reduce stiffness. The 1st and 2nd stress ball exercises are similar to the power putty 1st and 3rd exercise. The 3rd stress ball exercise is to pinch the stress ball between my fingertips and thumb. This exercise is good for the flexor muscles and improve dexterity...


my cute yellow stress ball

Bugis Waterloo Street
After everything is done, mumy and I had lunch at Bugis, before going to pray at Bugis Waterloo Street Kwanyin Temple...

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