Upper extremity orthotic intervention?

Upper extremity orthotic intervention?

Brian Moore

Hello all,
 Unfortunately I don't have a response to the current soap opera going on
,instead I have a real question.I have a patient referred to me by OT for upper
extremity bracing.The OT has tried making braces and has failed time and time
again.The patient has undergone spinal surgery that has left him with paralysis
in the upper extemity.The patient has no bicep strength and shoulder
subluxation is proceding.This is a race for the cure type endeavor so,here is my
question.Has anyone ever been able to combine the prosthetic technology of
conventional AE/BE prosthetics to orthotics?I have an idea but,the results are shady
at best.I need to establish a way to secure the patient in a device that will
lift assist.lock in position,unlock,an be able to be modified to hold hand
tools(toothbrush,razor,fork/spoon). This has to be easy to donn/doff and light
weight.I have designed a cable system for a heavily modified figure eight harness
that attaches to molded arm sections,with chest conections for abduction
positioning.The elbows have OB locking hinges with the orthotic lift assists and
the wrist has an incorporated WHO with tool attachments.The patient can use bi
scapular abduction for harness control and the cervical is stabilized with an
Aspen collar for now.Has anyone found a better way to basically build an
exoskeletal muscular system?I have had success with my current set up but,there has
to be a better way.Any thoughts?Thanks in advance.
P.S
Please monitor what you guys say about our profession,more than just O&P come
to the listserve.It is really getting embarrassing having PTs and OTs remark
about our field as a joke because of our never ending feuding.If we keep this
up,we won't have a profession to complain about.Take your punches and walk it
off---Both of you!

Brian Moore BOCO,RPA