Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Mountaineer Complete Care

Medical Equipment Provider

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a hand and arm related condition causing insensitivity, tingling sensations, and other symptoms within the hand and arm. The main cause of CTS is the result of a pinched nerve in the wrist.

Multiple factors can play a role in CTS, one being certain patterns of hand use, health problems, and the anatomy of the wrist.

The carpal tunnel is held together by bones and ligaments with a slim passageway located on the palm side of the wrist. Thus, allowing the main nerve and tendons to the hand to be protected.

However, when the nerve becomes compressed, numbness, tingling, and weakness of the hand occur, resulting in carpal tunnel syndrome. As people develop CTS, the correct Doctor prescribed treatment plan can usually relieve some of the tingling and numbness. In some instances, surgery is needed to relieve the agonizing pain.

If your Doctor has suggested a Carpal Tunnel Brace, stop by Mountaineer Complete Care and check out our full line of Bell-Horn, Carpal Tunnel Braces and supports. Our braces range from maximum, moderate, to mild support, depending on the severity of your CTS. Bell-Horn CTS braces provide comfort, support, and stabilization of the joint, allowing for comfort throughout the day.

Mountaineer Complete Care's goal is to help you enjoy your daily activities and maintain an independent lifestyle.

Jodie Wood

General Manager

828.456.2818

mountaineercompletecare.com

Benefits of Using a Walker

Benefits of Using a Walker

Mountaineer Complete Care

Waynesville, NC

As we age, we become more susceptible to accidental falls related to balance issues. These falls can lead to serious injuries and lengthy hospital visits. With that being said,the primary caregiver needs to initiate the importance of using an ambulatory aid, such as a walker.

Therefore, helping someone understand the importance of a walker is the first step in making the transition to a mobility aid. The person needs to know that the walker can help prevent hazardous falls that may lead to cuts, broken bones, bruises, internal injuries, and surgeries related to a fall.

As a caregiver, your main goal should be to encourage the individual to transition slowly to a walker, focusing on education and training to make the individual feel comfortable. You can't just go and purchase a walker and expect the individual to understand what it is, and how it will benefit their life.

Accordingly, another important factor to pay attention to when considering a walker for any senior citizen, would be to focus on how the mobility aid will fit into their daily routine while at home. The home is where an enormous amount of falls occurs for the senior population, making the caregiver focus on a hazard free environment. These hazards could include, poorly lit areas, large area rugs, protruding furniture, cords, pets, boxes, books on the floor, and floor length curtains.

According to LifeStation (2014), a CDC study showed that 47,000 senior citizens were treated in Emergency Rooms between 2001- 2006 for accidents resulting from improper use of a walker. The goal of Mountaineer Complete Care is to help you avoid becoming a statistic through providing quality information on how to properly use a walker.

Major Walker Benefits:

-Helps maintain balance and prevent falls.

-Creates a sense of security.

-Some walkers have a seat to sit down on in case you get tired.

-Allows independence throughout the daily routine of life.

-Some walkers can also serve as a transport chair.

Thus, our professional staff will ensure that the mobility aid is correctly fitted to suit the needs of each individual, based on weight, height, grip, and wheels. These fittings will enable the person to function throughout their daily routine and live independently.

In the long run, understanding the benefits of a walker will only help you live a full self- sustained life with the ability to stay active.

Stop by Mountaineer Complete Care today and check out our full line of mobility aids, including walkers, and canes.

___________________________________________________________________________

Lifestation. (2014). Convince Parent to Use Walker or Cane. Retrieved from http://www.lifestation.com/convince-parent-use-walker-cane.php

Don't Let Parkinson's Disease Get You Down

Staying independent and safe is all part of understanding Parkinson's Disease

• Keep your home free of clutter and secure scatter rugs.
• Install railing along the walls to assist with balance and decrease the chance of falling.

• Install night lights in frequently used rooms and hallways.
• Consider bells or intercoms to ensure safety, in preparation of an emergency.

• Install grab bars in the bathroom. Never use towel racks or soap holders as grab bars.

• Long handled sponge eliminates bending and decreases risks of falls.
• Consider Velcro closures for clothing and shoes for easier manipulation.
• Long handled shoe horns reduce the need to bend and possibly lose your balance.

        (Clapcich, Goldberg, Walsh, 1999)

Parkinson's Disease doesn't mean you have to stop living, it just means you have to start living smarter; because Parkinson's is not age or gender specific.

Stop by Mountaineer Complete Care today for safety items that can help someone with Parkinson's Disease live a free independent life.

These items include bath safety, incontinence items, bedroom aids, mobility aids, lift chairs, aids for daily living, diabetic shoes, and much, much more within our catalog of over 14,000 products.

Jodie Wood/General Manager

828.456.2818

http://mountaineercompletecare.com

Trouble With A Sprained Ankle

Trouble With A Sprained Ankle

Proud Supporter of Bell Horn Ankle Braces and Supports

In today's society, a sprained ankle is a common place injury among many Americans. Over 25,000 people will experience a sprained ankle ever day (AAOS, 2014). This common injury can occur in children, adults, athletes to non-athletes. The ankle sprain can happen by simply ambulating on an uneven surface, or step, within your daily activities.

The ankle sprain involves the ligaments of the ankle, which hold specific bones in place, relevant to the joint. These ligaments maintain structure within the ankle by prohibiting dissociated movements, such as twisting, turning, and uneven rolling motions from the foot.

As the ankle sprain happens, a loud “Pop” is often heard. This is the result of excessive force placed on the ankle regions soft tissue infrastructure. Thus, resulting in agonizing pain and excessive swelling. As a result of damage to the specific area of the ankle, there are different grades of ankle sprains.

Grade 1 Sprain:

Stretching, resulting in some fiber damage within the ligaments.

Grade 2 Sprain:

Small tears in the ligament, looseness in the ankle when examined and moved

by the Doctor.

Grade 3 Sprain:

Ligament is completely torn. When Doctor continues examining the ankle and

and moves ankle, there is abnormal instability within the entire ankle joint

structure. Surgery is sometimes required to fix the problem.

Therefore, the correct treatment plan is of great importance to get back to a normal lifestyle. This involves resting, icing the damaged area, compression, elevating the ankle joint, and following Doctor's orders.

With that being said, Mountaineer Complete Care is fully stocked with all the proper ankle braces, ankle compression sleeves, specifically made ice packs for the ankle, crutches, knee walkers, to help with entire healing process. We also have a plethora of other orthopedic items are in our catalog for special ordering purposes to help get you back to an independent lifestyle.

So, stop by and let our experienced staff lead you in the right direction through the use of Bell Horn Ankle Braces, compressions and Supports.

For more information on our full line of Bell Horn Braces and Supports,

visit mountaineercompletecare.com

Reference:

AAOS. (2014).Sprained Ankle. Retrieved from http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?

topic=a00150

The Benefit of Using a Knee Walker

Benefits of Using a Knee Walker

Waynesville, NC

Understanding how a knee walker can allow a person to maintain their freedom while injured, is key to staying mobile. The knee walker is a unique alternative to crutches for patients that have experienced injuries to the knee, ankle, foot, or even suffered sever lower extremity leg injuries.

With that being said, the knee walker's main purpose is to function as an alternative mobility aid, enhancing one's independence, while at the same time allowing the body to properly heal. The patients knee is elevated on a flat cushioned platform, granting the other leg to push and maneuver the patient from place to place. Maintaining an upright position throughout the use of the knee walker also reduces back strain and fatigue that is associated with crutch use.

There are several options available when it comes to getting your hands on a knee walker. One important factor to consider is what your Doctor has prescribed, relating to the injury. The Doctor may have recommended that you have 4 weeks non weight bearing. With this prescription, a viable option would be to rent the knee walker for that specific amount of time. Thus, saving you money in the long run from having to purchase the knee walker.

However, if the injury is more serious and the Doctor has prescribed 8 weeks or more of non weight bearing, you might consider purchasing the knee walker. Purchasing the knee walker is an economical choice and would give you the freedom of having it with you at all times.

In the long run, whether purchasing or renting your knee walker, make sure to fully understand how the piece of durable medical equipment operates. Also,understand the rental contract and when the knee walker is to be returned, and all other parameters. Finally,make good use of the knee walker and enjoy your independence while in the recovery process.

For more information on the purchase or rental options of a knee walker,

contact Mountaineer Complete Care, in Waynesville NC.

Contact us for other rental options for wheel chairs, walkers/rollators, hospital beds, and transports chairs.

Jodie Wood/General Manager