I fell on the ice two years ago and broke my elbow into little pieces. Since then, I have had six surgeries on my arm to repair the elbow. Nothing has worked, and now I have a surgically fused elbow. Even though it has been almost nine months since the surgery, I am still having trouble with simple things like picking up a glass of water or cutting my food. What do you recommend?

There are adaptive aids that can help you with a variety of tasks, from picking up socks off the floor to holding a cup or toothbrush. Also, you’d probably benefit from the services of a physical or occupational therapist. These health care professionals can assess your work or home for ways to help you complete tasks more easily. Ask your doctor for a recommendation, or call a local clinic or hospital for the name of a licensed therapist.