Orthotics (2)—For upper limbs
1. Upper extremity orthoses are divided into two categories: fixed (static) and functional (movable) according to their functions. The former has no movement device and is used for fixation, support, and braking. The latter have locomotion devices that allow movement of the body or control and assist movement of the body.
Upper extremity orthoses can basically be divided into two categories, namely fixed (static) orthoses and functional (active) orthoses. Fixed orthoses have no movable parts, and are mainly used to fix limbs and functional positions, limit abnormal activities, apply to inflammation of upper limb joints and tendon sheaths, and promote fracture healing. The feature of functional orthoses is to allow a certain degree of movement of the limbs, or to achieve therapeutic purposes through the movement of the brace. Sometimes, an upper extremity orthosis can have both fixed and functional roles.
Upper limb orthoses are mainly used to compensate for lost muscle strength, support paralyzed limbs, maintain or fix limbs and functional positions, provide traction to prevent contractures, and prevent or correct deformities. Occasionally, it is also used on patients as an add-on. With the development of plastic surgery, especially hand surgery, and rehabilitation medicine, the varieties of upper extremity orthoses are becoming more and more complicated, especially various hand braces are more difficult, and it is necessary to rely on the joint efforts of doctors and manufacturers to obtain suitable Effective.
The source of force for a functional upper extremity orthosis can come from itself or from outside. Self-force is provided by the muscle movement of the patient’s limbs, either through voluntary movement or through electrical stimulation. Exogenous forces can come from various elastics such as springs, elastics, elastic plastics, etc., and can also be pneumatic, electric, or cable-controlled, the latter refers to the use of a traction cable to move the orthosis, for example, through the movement of the scapula. The shoulder straps move and tighten the traction cable to move the hand orthosis.
Post time: Aug-03-2022