2006 Press Releases
Rehabilitation helps snowmobiler recover after accident Snowmobiles have come a long way since 44-year-old Daniel Murphy first started riding them as a kid. Today’s sleds are faster and more powerful. So, when he lost control of his snowmobile in February, nearly missed a couple of trees, and crashed into a shed, the accident left him with closed head trauma and shattered bones in his hand and ankle. After Murphy had surgery to reconstruct his broken bones, he was admitted to Rome Memorial Hospital’s 14-bed Acute Rehabilitation Unit for nine days to help him learn adaptive techniques to maximize his independence during the extended healing process. His recovery continues through outpatient occupational therapy to help him regain his strength and range of motion in his hand, according to Occupational Therapist Michelle Madore, OTR/L. Therapy for his ankle will begin once he can put weight on it and his doctor gives the go ahead. “Luckily, there were no repercussions from the head injury, but I’ve got screws and plates in my hand and ankle,” Murphy said, considering himself lucky that the accident didn’t also claim his life. “When I first came to the rehab unit, I couldn’t bend my hand or even get from the wheelchair to the bed. Now, my hand is stronger. I’m regaining my flexibility.” “Dan works with his hands, so our goal is to help him regain full use and strength in his hands,” Madore said. “He had very little range of motion, so we are using different modalities to loosen up and stretch the tissues and joints, including paraffin, range of motion exercises and joint mobilization.” Murphy has occupational therapy twice a week and completes a home exercise program in between to further his recovery. “Dan is a very motivated patient, who really works hard to complete everything he needs to get better. He wants to return to work to support his family, play with his kids and get back to his outdoor activities.” “When Dan had his accident, we didn’t know that Rome had its own rehab unit,” said Murphy’s wife, Sandy. “We thought we’d have to travel to Syracuse and are so thankful that Dan could get rehabilitation close to home.” “Michelle and the rest of the staff actually make coming to therapy fun,” Murphy said. “They have great attitudes, talking and joking with you while giving you encouragement to work through some of the more painful exercises.” “My wife has been so supportive and helpful through my recovery. I don’t think I could have gotten through this without her and my kids,” Murphy said. “They have had to go through a lot with the accident and now helping me as I recover.” As the hospital’s Therapy Department celebrates National Occupational Therapy Month in April, Director Emily Duchow, OTR/L, noted that occupational therapy is a lifeline for millions of people who need therapy to help them do the things that most people take for granted, like getting dressed, being productive at school or work, eating unassisted, even socialization. “Occupational therapy is outcome-oriented, which means therapists help people work toward achievable performance goals,” Duchow said. “We’re the profession that focuses on life skills to help people maximize their function and independence.” According to Duchow, an occupational treatment plan depends on the individual and the nature of their injury or disease. “Occupational therapists collaborate with physicians and other professionals to ensure a comprehensive treatment approach,” she said. At Rome Memorial Hospital, occupational therapists provide therapy in several settings including the acute rehabilitation unit, the skilled nursing facility, and outpatient therapy center. “This broad continuum enables us to deliver the right level of care at the right time to help our patients achieve the greatest level of function and independence,” Duchow said. For more information about the hospital’s rehabilitation services, including physical, occupational or speech therapy, please call 338-7154. Patients referred to the hospital’s inpatient rehabilitation unit are screened to determine if acute rehabilitation services are appropriate for them, in accordance with Medicare guidelines. | 
