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Jacob Percival, of Harrisonville, Missouri, was injured in October 2022 while riding his motorcycle.

"At first, I thought I had just dislocated my shoulder," Percival said. Instead, he soon learned he had fractured his humerus, the long bone in the arm that runs from the shoulder to the elbow.

While Percival's injury did not require surgery, his doctor sent him to Cass Regional for occupational therapy.

"He was having a lot of shoulder pain and stiffness and was lacking range of motion when he first started therapy," said Daryl Fagan, OTR/L, occupational therapist.

Fortunately, shoulder injuries are highly treatable if addressed early. They can often be resolved without surgery.

"I come to Cass Regional twice a week for therapy," said Percival. "Daryl has shown me exercises that I can also do at home to help speed up my recovery."

Percival originally began therapy at Cass Regional with Fagan's colleague, Gail Johnson, OTR/L.

"Gail worked with Jacob for pain management and the early stages of his rehabilitation," Fagan said. "I have a special interest in shoulder rehab, so when I joined the team, I became his primary therapist. Jacob has made great strides in getting back to normal daily activity with increased range of motion. He is now very close to being discharged from therapy."

Percival said his return to normal activities will definitely include getting back on the road.

"I have not gotten back on my motorcycle since the accident," said Percival. "After completing therapy and allowing time for my shoulder to fully heal, I plan to ride again one day!"

Can occupational therapy help you?

Patients who have physical, sensory or cognitive problems can benefit from occupational therapy. Occupational therapists specialize in conditions affecting the upper extremities, such as the elbow, forearm, wrist, hand and shoulder. The goal of occupational therapy in upper extremity rehabilitation is to return the patient to meaningful participation in his or her daily life.

Categories: Occupational therapy