Care and mobility considerations
Upper limb – Severe Functional Restriction
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Disabling Effects | People with this level of functional restriction would experience gross joint deformity and/or restriction of joint movements. They may be on the waiting list for shoulder, elbow or wrist replacement surgery, or for surgery to realign or replace a finger or thumb. Pain and/or joint stiffness would be present for up to two hours after rising, and may affect the person during the night. Painful and/or restricted neck movements may occur accompanied by neurological signs (pins and needles) in the arms. |
| Mobility | A person with severe restriction may need physical assistance from another person in getting around due to difficulty in gripping and/or holding prescribed mobility aids. They would not require guidance or supervision. |
| Care | A person with severe restriction would need help with getting out of bed, dressing and washing, attending to toilet needs and preparing a main meal. Due to deformity, weakness of muscles, ligaments and tendons, grip would be significantly impaired. Some people may experience further impairment of grip and upper limb function due to loss of sensation and ‘pins and needles’ in the arms. These problems may lead to an inability to adequately grip crutches or other mobility aids, making any mobility restriction worse. Such a person may need assistance with getting out of bed, help with dressing and washing and help with attending to toilet needs. They may need someone to assist in rising from a chair and with cutting up certain foods and with main meal preparation. They would not need supervision or watching over. |
Bear in mind that where there is also lower limb involvement, the combined effect of the functional restrictions may lead to greater mobility and care needs.
