STROKE-UPPER LIMB INTERVENTIONS, ORTHOSIS

SUMMARY

1. Common orthosis used in hemiplegic upper extremity is the wrist-hand-orthosis/splints.

2. Can be static/passive (volar, dorsal splints) or dynamic/active (eg. Saebo-Flex®).
3. Splinting, taping, and orthoses do not improve upper limb motor function, dexterity, ADLs, spasticty or muscle strength but may improve ROM.

GOALS
1. Reduction in spasticity

2. Reduction in pain
3. Improvement in functional outcome (only dynamic orthosis)
4. Prevention of contracture (only dynamic orthosis)
5. Prevention of edema
6. There is strong evidence that static hand splinting does not improve motor function or reduce contracture formation

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I., Furmedge, D. and Sinharay, R. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Get it on Amazon.
Feather, A., Randall, D. and Waterhouse, M. (2020). Kumar And Clark’s Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. S.L.: Elsevier Health Sciences. Get it on Amazon.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].