Recent orthotics device in physiotherapy By : Bimal Maurya Galgotias University
orthotic An external orthopedic appliance, either prefabricated or custom made, that controls movement of specific body parts. A device (such as a brace or splint) for supporting, immobilizing, or treating muscles, joints, or skeletal parts which are weak, ineffective, deformed, or injured .
Types of Orthoses The following types of Orthoses : Cervical Orthosis Cervical Thoracic Orthosis (CTOs) Spine Orthotic Arm Wrist/Hand Hips Knee Orthosis (KO) Brace Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFO) Foot Orthotic Diabetic Shoes and Inserts
Cervical Orthosis Cervical Orthosis (COs) support the occiput and chin in order to decrease range of motion from C-2 to C-5. It is generally used to support stable spine conditions. Examples : Neck Braces , Cervical Collar Neck Brace , Soft collar , Four braces
Cervical Thoracic Orthosis Cervical-thoracic orthosis (CTOs) provide greater motion restriction from C-5 to C-7 spine from the increased leverage on the person’s body. The upper cervical spine has less motion restriction. CTOs are used in minimally unstable fractures. All CTO’s tend to control flexion better than extension. Examples: Minerva Orthosis , Cervical Thoracic Halo Brace
Spine Orthotic A spinal orthotic device is an external apparatus that is applied to the body to limit the motion of, correct deformity in, reduce axial loading on, or improve the function of a particular spinal segment of the body. Examples: Knight spinal , Taylor Brace
Arm Upper-limb (extremity) orthoses are devices applied externally to restore or improve functional and structural characteristics of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. In general, musculoskeletal problems include those resulting from trauma, sports, and work-related injuries. Examples: Resting Braces, Dorsal Splint, Airplane Splint , Motor Driven Flexor Hinge
Wrist/Hand An orthosis that begins at the fingers, crosses the wrist, and terminates on the distal portion of the forearm; used to provide grasp and release despite some degree of hand paralysis.
Hips Hip orthoses sometimes are used after a total hip replacement in order to prevent the motions of hip flexion, adduction and internal rotation that can cause dislocation.
Knee Orthosis A knee orthosis (KO) is a brace worn to strengthen the knee. This brace is worn around the knee and works by relieving pressure off the part of the knee joint that is affected by ailments such as arthritis or osteoarthritis. They can also offer support for the knee and provide the stability needed to perform daily activities.
Ankle Foot Orthosis Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) refers to a variety of protective external devices that can be applied to the ankle area to prevent injury in a high-risk athletic activity, to protect a previous injury such as a sprain, or to assist patients with chronic joint instability with walking. An AFO is often used by patients unable to dorsiflex the ankle during gait. It may be used to maintain anatomic position in a person that has a footdrop.
Foot Orthotic Foot orthosis, or foot orthotic, is ordered for a misshapen or deformed foot as well as to help relieve areas of pressure on the foot. It is designed to support the foot by applying pressure to areas to encourage an appropriate gait. Orthoses may be made of a wide range of materials such as firm plastics or semi-rigid material such as crepe, laminate or composite or various density foams. They can be either full or three-quarter length.
Diabetic Shoes and Custom Shoe Inserts The importance of proper footwear for diabetics and coverage is available for diabetics on Medicare who suffer from certain complications affecting the foot. Qualifying complications include neuropathy, calluses, poor circulation and a history of ulceration.
Recent orthotics device in physiotherapy
SOPHIA: Soft Orthotic Physiotherapy Hand Interactive Aid It describes the design, fabrication, and initial testing of a Soft Orthotic Physiotherapy Hand Interactive Aid (SOPHIA) for stroke rehabilitation. SOPHIA consists of a soft robotic exoskeleton, (2) a microcontroller-based control system driven by a brain–machine interface (BMI), (3) a sensorized glove for passive rehabilitation.
SOPHIA is the first modular prototype of a rehabilitation system that is capable of three tasks: aiding extension based assistive rehabilitation, monitoring patient exercises, and guiding passive rehabilitation. This prototype of the device is capable of helping healthy subjects to open their hand. Finger extension is triggered by a command from the BMI, while using a variety of sensors to ensure a safe motion. All data gathered from the device will be used to guide further improvements to the prototype, aiming at developing specifications for the next generation device, which could be used in future clinical trials.
Voice-based Hand Orthotic Device Robotic systems are rapidly emerging as easy-to-use rehabilitation tools that enhance several of health-related infirmities. Frequently, stroke and spinal cord -injuries are impair normal healthful living by paralysis, albe it the affected patient’s brains may remain functional. Such victims need long term rehabilitation, by qualified therapists to regain motor and sensory controls, beyond the affordable reach of common citizens. This is where reasonably priced robotic exoskeleton systems come to their rescue. A novel design for hand orthosis, which is a lightweight pliable prototype can be calibrated to fit any average-sized hand. This device is controlled with a voice recognition module. Efficiency, delay, accuracy, realization, and robustness. Empirical results validate the efficacy, reliability, and robustness of the orthotic device that can be used in the rehabilitation of the stroke patients.
Mesh three-dimensional arm orthosis with built-in ultrasound physiotherapy The possibility of using the built-in ultrasound physiotherapy system of the hand orthosis is explored in the work. The individual mesh orthosis from nylon 12 was manufactured by the 3D prototyping method on the installation of selective laser sintering SLS SPro 60HD. The applied technology of three-dimensional scanning made it possible to obtain a model of the patient's hand and on the basis of it to build a virtual model of the mesh frame. The developed system of ultrasound exposure was installed on the orthosis and its tests were carried out. As a result, the acceleration of the healing process and the reduction in the time of wearing orthosis were found.