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Dynamic pronation splint in high level spinal cord injury: A case study
Author(s) -
Lightbody Sue
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
australian occupational therapy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1440-1630
pISSN - 0045-0766
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1630.1994.tb01817.x
Subject(s) - splint (medicine) , forearm , medicine , physical medicine and rehabilitation , elbow , rehabilitation , weakness , physical therapy , splints , activities of daily living , upper limb , orthodontics , surgery
Maintaining pronation of the forearm is difficult for patients with high level quadriplegia. Where partial innervation to, or weakness within, specific muscles of the upper limb occurs, the arm tends to be held in a flexed, supinated position. This position prevents the successful performance of many activities of daily living. The dynamic splint outlined in this paper is based on the Roylan Dynamic Pronation/Supination Kit with adaptions to enable elbow flexion. The application of this splint in a patient with incomplete quadriplegia below C5 cord segment has been described. This splint was introduced during the rehabilitation phase of treatment, and enabled the forearm to be positioned in pronation, so that the patient could perform functional activities such as feeding, typing, writing and using the telephone. Following discharge from hospital, the patient used the splint to help achieve goals such as returning to work and playing the piano.