What seemed like a routine morning for Mary Wendle – watering her flowers before she was off to work – did not go as planned when she tripped over her hose in the garden.
玛丽伸出手想抓住自己，却落在了她的左手腕上。她立刻意识到有些不对劲。
She visited the Emergency Department atOSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center, where she was referred to surgeon Bruce T. Vest, Jr., MD.
Dr. Vest informed her that she had broken her radius and ulna. These breaks resulted in two things – a cast andoccupational therapy(OT).
“I wasn’t sure what to expect because I have never experienced any broken bones before,” Mary said.
The occupational therapists worked with Mary on various exercises such as strength building, dexterity and sensation testing.
“The OTs were absolutely wonderful,” Mary said. “They worked with my schedule to ensure that I could make it to all my meetings.”
Mary is the manager of the Pharmacy Department at OSF Saint Anthony’s, so missing meetings was not an option for her.
Celebrating small successes
多亏了加时赛，玛丽开始看到进步，手腕也恢复了力量。她庆祝小的成功，比如能够戴上耳环和再次弹钢琴。
“The key to success in occupational therapy is doing the exercises you are taught at home and not just at therapy,” she said. “That’s what really works.”
虽然玛丽的手腕有所好转，但由于戴了支架，她的肩膀开始疼痛。
Mary had developed “frozen shoulder即肩关节僵硬和疼痛。这种情况需要物理治疗才能痊愈。
“You can imagine the frustration of hearing I would have to go through another round of therapy,” Mary said. “ButOSF Rehabilitationmade OT and PT a positive experience – I can’t sing their praises enough.”
Mary’s advice to patients going through outpatient rehabilitation: show up to your appointments, work hard and do your exercises at home and the staff will take care of the rest.