A Virginia woman who lost both hands four years ago is working with physical therapists and people with occupational therapy jobs after a historic double-hand transplant in Philadelphia, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Lindsay Aronson Ess, 28, had her hands and feet amputated in 2007 following the onset of a severe infection following surgery for Crohn's disease. Believed to be the fifth of its type in the U.S., the procedure was in September at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, the first time that facility partook in what was a complex and an intricate 11-plus hour operation.
"Her life has been on hold for four years," Dr. L. Scott Levin, director of Penn Hand Transplant and a professor of both bone and joint surgery and plastic surgery, told the publication. "Hopefully, we have helped her. I truly believe we have."
Twelve surgeons, three anesthesiologists and 15 nurses merged efforts on the operation and her recovery thus far has surpassed projections, Levin said.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the occupational therapy industry is seeing assistants and aids take on more elevated tasks with clients while under the purview of therapists.