Download Presentation Title April 1, 2015

Before and After
Arthritis on the Farm:
Identifying Methods of Prevention and
Safety, and Utilizing Methods of Pain
Management and Control
Over 50 million Americans have arthritis, making it the
number one cause of disability in the country. That
means 1 in every 5 adults is affected, and nearly 1/3 of
all farmers are affected.
Objectives:
• Identifications of areas of joint stress or potential injury in several
farming operation types (dairy, mechanics, field work, etc.)
• Suggestions for methods of prevention of joint stress or injury
• Identification of limitations and disability caused by arthritis
• Suggestions for assistive devices, modified tools, and operation
changes to manage/control arthritis pain and limitations.
Application to Field/Research:
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Prevention of joint pain and injury
Application of health and wellness techniques for pain management
Application of assistive devices for longevity and productivity of work
Decreasing risk of secondary injury
Agricultural Awareness
Common Occupational Risk Factors
Top 7 Pain-Causing Activities by Survey
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Being over weight
Bending/Kneeling/Squatting/Climbing/Jumping (grain bins, ladders, milking, etc.)
Heavy Lifting or Carrying (feed bags, water buckets, etc.)
Frequent Bending/Twisting/Turning (heights of weight benches, storage, tool locations, etc.)
Persistent awkward postures
Hand tasks and use of tools
Compression of weight bearing joints by lifting in awkward positions
Walking long distances, sometimes over uneven/difficult terrain
Driving for long periods of time (exposure to whole-body vibration) in tractors/utility vehicles
Weather exposure – cold and hot
Vibrations from lawn care machinery, stress on joints from weed eaters, trimmers, etc.
Ranch work- horseback riding, roping, farrier work
Livestock care- chutes, medical attention, breeding
Repetitive forceful work is considered to both aggravate and accelerate
development of osteoarthritis and aggravate other forms of arthritis.
Before:
Prevention
ARTHRITIS FACTORS
• Factors that can be controlled:
– Weight control/diet
– Muscle weakness/posture
– Physical inactivity/exercise
– Joint Injury/support joints
– Pacing work/tool selection
• Factors that cannot be controlled:
– Age, gender
– Heredity, genetic factors
Physical Preparation
• Use proper body mechanics
– keeping your feet shoulder width apart
– bending at the knees/hips
– keeping the back straight, avoid rotation
• Proper mounting and lifting techniques
– carrying the weight as close to the body
as possible
– using the largest joint available
– climb with the strongest joint leading
– do not skip steps, both feet planted
Perfecting Your Posture
• Poor posture can lead to pain, fatigue, and
strains on the muscles, joints, and spine
– the upper back has limited movement, the
lower back needs to be able to flex
forward and backward, it should NOT twist
Buzz Word: Ergonomics!
Careful tool selection can make work easier, while protecting
from unnecessary and unwanted stress, strain, and injury.
Some tools are made specifically for women,
with lighter materials and smaller grips.
Choose the right tool for the job/worker!
Ex: Arthritis Tips for Hand Tools:
• Neutral join positions
• Appropriately sized, soft padded handles
• Reduction of vibration and slipping
• Long-handled tools
• Thumb rests and proper diameter grips
• Spring-loaded or power-assist tools
Ergonomic Hand Tools
Support Your Joints
• Proper footwear is crucial to
supporting the ankles and knees.
• Be aware of carrying heavy
loads using your wrist as the
main joint.
• Wear braces to support repetitive
and stressful movements
• Wear gloves to support the wrists
and finger joints.
After:
Management
PAIN RELIEF:
Things YOU can do
• Heat (relaxes muscles) and cold
treatments (reduces swelling, pain)
• Weight loss/nutrition (supplements)
• Physical activity
• Pace yourself
• Complimentary therapies
• Research
PAIN RELIEF:
Things your health care provider can do
• Physical/Occupational
Therapy
• Over-The-Counter Meds
– Acetaminophens
– NSAIDs
– Topicals
• Prescription Meds
• Surgery (arthroscopy,
synovectomy,
replacement)
The Toolbox: Agricultural Tools,
Equipment, Machinery &
Buildings for Farmers and
Ranchers with Physical
Disabilities is a resource that
contains assistive technology
solutions for farmers, ranchers,
and other agricultural workers
with disabilities.
http://www.agrability.org/Toolbox/index.cfm
Better Living Toolkit
• Essential resources to help people
with arthritis better understand
their arthritis and live life to its
fullest.
Coming Soon: Digital Better Living Toolkit
• Centerpiece: Better Living Health
Tracker, featuring the RAPID3
(Routine Assessment Patient
Index Data) tool:
• Helps patients monitor
symptoms, goals and
progress towards goals
• Facilitates effective
communication during
doctor appointments
Arthritis Resource Finder
Specialized geo-locator tool to:
• Find local resources in the
community—such as medical
equipment suppliers, health care
providers, physical therapists,
home care agencies and
pharmacies
• Locate nearby group fitness
programs that are safe for people
with arthritis.
• Discover local Arthritis
Foundation resources and events
Presenter Contact Information
Amber D. Wolfe, M.S.
Community Engagement Director
Arthritis Foundation
615 N. Alabama Street, Suite 430
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-217-1604
[email protected]