5. Osteopathic Considerations for Geriatrics Flashcards
What are 3 osteopathic considerations for geriatric patients?
- Decreased ability to self-heal (d/t reduction of physiologic reserve and many comorbid conditions)
- Consider risk vs benefit (higher risk of SE and shorter life expectancy)
- 3. Give individualized care
Goals with Geriatric Patients in OMT
- Optimize function (to allow to walk, do daily activities)
- Avoid institutionalization (80% prefer to diet at home)
- Maintain sense of community
Treating geriatrics should be done in what positions?
1. Seated
2. Supine at 45 degrees
5 Model Approach in Geriatrics
- Neurological
- Metabolic-Energetic-Immune
- Circulatory/Respiratory
- Neuological: fall-risk assessment
- MEI: lymphatics (thoracic inlet)
- C/R: Parasympathetic/sympathetic
5 Model Approach in Geriatrics
- Biomechanical
- Behavioral
-
Biomechanical
- Improve function
- Gentle modified techniques
- Less position change
- Behavorial
How do we perform a fall-risk assessment?
- Get up and go test tests static and dynamic balance.
- Steps:
- Stand up
- Walk 3 meters
- Turn around and walk back
- Sit back down
- > 12 seconds = increase fall risk
Deconditioning gait changes in elderly
- Waddling gait (pelvis weakness)
Mechanical changes in low back/pelvis/LE => gait changes in elderly
- Antalgic gait (to avoid pain)
Neurological problems that cause gait changes in elderly
- Hemiparetic gait (post stroke)
- Steppage gait (foot drop)
- Shuffling gait (Parkinson)
How can we modify techniques for geriatric patients
- Use indirect techniques, instead of direct.
- Switch activating forces (BLT, FPR, CS)
- Avoid changes in positions bc many pts cannot lay flat or prone
- Limit amount of treatments bc they have poor reserve for compensation
Geriatric pt has a F RrSr direct barrier. How would we treat?
E RlSl Indirect barrier
Lymphatic in Geriatric patient
-
1. Seated thoracic inlet release MFR (direct/indirect barrier)
- Target deep fascia by putting thumbs posterior to 1st rib, 2 or 3 around clavicle.
- Check barriers
- Engage fascia
- Use activating force
- Follow until tissue creeps
- Reasses
How do we address sympathetics in geriatrics?
-
Seated Rib Raising ART
- Have pt drape arms over shoulder to support weight
- Doc place arms at angle of ribs
- Pull rib angles outward, while extending thoracic spin by elevating arms as you move up and down spin.
- Reassess
Watch for _______ when using seated rib raising ART in geriatrics
Age-related kyphosis and scoliosis
How do we address parasympathetics in geriatrics?
Treat OA with Stills (ex. E RlSr)
- Place index finger on right basiocciput to monitor OA
- Put in indirect barrier: Use the head to gently extend, Rl, Sr (Rotation and side bending is usually about 5-7 degrees)
- Compress until you feel softening at your index finger
- Take into direct barrier: Then gently flex, rotate left, side bend right into the direct barrier (gently without adding motion into C1)
- Reasses
Biomechanical:
- Decreased height => ____
- Decreased lean body mass => ______
- ↓ height => ↑ kyphosis
- ↑ lean body mass => change in pharmacokinetics
Common biochemical Dx in geriatrics
- OA (osteoarthritis)
Biochemical/MSK PE for geriatric pt for OA
- Eval gait and assess posture.
- ROM for UE/LR.
- Evaluate feet for ulcers/nail care.
- OSE of muscles and joints for SD
OA sx
- Gradual onset of joint pain, stiffness and limitation of motion that affects [hands, feet, knees and hip]
- Increase morbidity => LE disability.
When/who is OA most common in?
Increases with age; Women: rapidly increases >50 YO
Commonly presenting for OA
- Pain in 1 joint => multiple joints
- Deep ache with use
- Joint stiffness after inactivity (just waking up or sitting)
- Night pain, making it hard to sleep
OA treatment
- PAIN RELIEF (WL, walking aids, topical/oral anagelgics, OMT, intra-articular injections, orthopedic intervention)
- PREVENTION
- Multidisciplineary apprach: PCP, rheum, pyshcait, orthopedist, diettisi
According to research, how did OMT help a group of 29 geriatric patients with arthritis of the shoulder.
What technique did they perform?
Spencer technique
Over the course of the tx: both control and OMT groups have ↑ ROM and ↓ pain.
After treatment: ROM in OMT patients continued improve, while ROM in placebo in group ↓
What can go under “neurological” in the 5 factor model as a DDx for when we age ?
- Increased postural instability => falls and accidents
- Alterered gait => falls and accidents