Elastic Orthosis Research Articles

Medical technology of early recovery of the ability to move independently after amputation of the lower limb

Results of early restoration of the ability to independent movement after amputation of the lower extremities as possibilities of prevention of development of the complications connected with a hypodynamia for reduction of terms of medical rehabilitation and restoration of quality of life are presented. Preparation for prosthetics was carried out with the application of modern methods of medical physical culture according to four motor activity levels. For prevention of development of contractures of joints, decrease in the puffiness of tissues of a stump will be applied techniques of medical physical culture, orthopedic laying, elastic bandaging of a stump of a shin and hip, carrying compression elastic and polymeric (silicone) covers. For improvement of lympho-venous outflow, reduction of puffiness of soft fabrics and of a phantom pain syndrome elastic glue bandaging (a therapeutic adhesive tapes) of a stump is shown. Non-drug treatment of phantom pain syndrome is especially relevant at contraindications, intolerance the patient of medicines. Among non-drug techniques of simplification of a phantom pain, syndrome use various techniques of reflexotherapy (acupuncture, an akupressura, etc.), to an empatotekhnik, a mirror therapy, phantom-impulsive gymnastics. Holding sessions of a mirror-therapy was followed with phantom-impulsive gymnastics by the standard technique. For prevention of formation of a flexion contracture of a knee joint after below-knee amputation used universal adjustable elastic orthosis for the knee made of polyurethane foam in the form of the rolled design with the fixing tapes is offered. Besides of, the technique of training moving by artificial limb helps the truncated extremity with the regulated reception sleeve or the made reception sleeve which is put on a stump from the water hardened plastic bandage is improved. The value of the offered technique consists in the imitation of end-bearing on a stump in the adjustable socket with the put-on reception sleeve and to training in use before fitting and walking with an artificial limb. This medical technology of early restoration of moving ability after amputation of a shin or a hip with the application of new designs of adjustable reception sleeves from thermoplastic materials in the form of a adjustable socket row with modular connection for assembly of artificial limbs of the lower extremities by express methods provides essential positive social and economic effect. The technical documentation set on new designs of artificial limbs of a shin and hip is developed for early primary prosthetics. The offered medical technology of early primary prosthetics is introduced at 27 state and five non-state prosthetic and orthopedic enterprises of the Russian Federation and also the prosthetic and orthopedic enterprises of Dushanbe (Republic of Tajikistan), Tashkent (Republic of Uzbekistan).

Effects of knee orthoses on kinesthetic awareness and balance in healthy individuals.

IntroductionConflicting evidence exists regarding the effects of knee orthoses on proprioception. One belief is that pressure applied by orthoses heightens kinesthetic awareness and that this affects balance. This study aimed to investigate the effects of two different orthosis designs on kinesthetic awareness and balance in healthy individuals.MethodsTwenty individuals (13 women) participated in this case series study. Each was tested wearing 1/no orthosis, 2/soft elastic orthosis and 3/non-elastic jointed orthosis. Pressure under orthoses was recorded. Kinesthetic awareness was investigated by testing joint position sense and threshold to detection of passive motion. Balance was tested using a modified sensory organization test.ResultsNon-elastic jointed orthoses applied the greatest pressure to the knee. With non-elastic jointed orthoses, threshold to detection of passive motion was significantly poorer for pooled results (p = 0.02) and when the start position of the knee was 70° (mean threshold = 0.6°, 0.6°, 0.7° for no-orthosis, elastic and jointed-orthoses; p = 0.03). No major differences were observed in JPS or balance and correlation between proprioception and balance was poor.ConclusionsThere may be a limit to the amount of pressure that should be applied to the knee joint by an orthosis. Exceeding this limit may compromise kinesthetic awareness.

Prevención del linfedema tras cirugía de cáncer de mama mediante ortesis elástica de contención y drenaje linfático manual: ensayo clínico aleatorizado

Background and objective Secondary lymphoedema is considered one of the most common complications after breast cancer surgery. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effectiveness of containment elastic orthosis and manual lymphatic drainage in the prevention of lymphoedema secondary to mastectomy. Patients and method An experimental study was performed with a control group. Forty-eight patients were randomly assigned to experimental (containment elastic orthosis and manual lymphatic drainage) and control (postural measures) groups. Outcomes measures were quality of life, body composition, temperature, functional assessment of the shoulder, pain and limb volume. Measures were performed at baseline and after 8-months intervention. Results After the intervention period, the experimental group showed significant differences ( P < .05) in the quality of life, extracellular water, and functional assessment of the volume of the limb of the mastectomized side. Conclusions The application of containment elastic orthosis and manual lymphatic drainage contribute to prevent secondary lymphoedema after breast cancer surgery, improving the quality of life in these patients.

Effect of wearing a lumbar orthosis on trunk muscles: Study of the muscle strength after 21 days of use on healthy subjects

Introduction Randomized and controlled study of clinical evaluation of medical device in healthy subjects. Objective To evaluate the effect of wearing an elastic lumbar support, frequently used in low-back pain prevention or treatment, on the trunk flexors and extensors muscle strength on healthy subjects. Summary of background data The long-term use of a lumbar orthosis is still suspected of weakening on the trunk muscles. The results in the existing literature are contradictory but don't seem to confirm this. Methods Trunk muscle isokinetic and isometric strength measured before and after the wearing of an elastic orthosis over a period of 21 days by healthy subjects with a control group without orthosis. Results There were 20 healthy subjects using orthosis and 9 controls. No changes in isokinetic and isometric strength were observed except for the endurance parameter on extensors: it was significantly more important before than after the lumbar support use ( p = 0.033). Conclusion These results disprove any negative effects on muscle strength and add to the existing literature which argues for a more customized prescription of lumbar orthosis depending on the potential muscle strength of the subject.

A Study to Investigate the Available Range of Movement in Two Makes of Commercial Wrist Orthoses

This study compared the degree of wrist movement available in two commercial wrist orthoses of the same design but constructed of different fabrics. Twenty participants with normal wrist movement had their right dominant wrist range of flexion and extension measured using an isokinetic dynamometer. The results showed that neither orthosis immobilised the wrist. The mean total range of movement in the neoprene orthosis (73.55°) was significantly greater (p&lt;0.001) than that in the elastic orthosis (53.30°). The elastic orthosis provided a greater degree of restriction of movement and more consistent control than the neoprene orthosis. Neither orthosis should be used where immobilisation is the treatment aim.

Posturographic evaluation of the proprioceptive effect of ankle orthoses in healthy volunteers

This study analyses the proprioceptive effect of wearing a unilateral and then bilateral ankle orthosis on 34 healthy volunteer subjects by posturography. An elastic orthosis with a ligamentous support band was used, and evaluation was performed by a posturographic statokinesimetric platform. Three tests, one without an orthosis, one with one orthosis, and one with two orthoses, were recorded for each volunteer. The results and statistical analyses demonstrated a significant difference in the antero-posterior measurement between the test without ankle orthosis and the tests with one and with two orthoses. This study provides information about the prophylactic effect of wearing a flexible support; it appears that there are important inter-individual variations in postural equilibrium, and the wearing of prophylactic ankle orthoses should be reserved for subjects after a posturographic examination.