Is There Any Relationship Between Orthotic Usage and Functional Activities in Children With Neuromuscular Disorders?

Is there any relationship between orthotic usage and functional activities in children with neuromuscular disorders?

Prosthet Orthot Int. 2013 May 17;
Alemdaroglu I, Gür G, Bek N, Yilmaz OT, Yakut Y, Uygur F, Karaduman A

Background:Contractures of Achilles tendons and gastrocnemius muscle deteriorate the performance in daily living activities of patients with neuromuscular diseases. Ankle-foot orthoses help to prevent the progression of deformities and to obtain optimal position of the joints to support standing and walking.Objective:To investigate the relationship between orthotic usage and functional activities in pediatric patients with different neuromuscular diseases.Study design:Retrospective study.Methods:A total of 127 subjects’ physical assessment forms were analyzed. Functional level, type of orthoses, falling frequencies, ankle joint range of motion, and timed performance tests were examined in two consecutive dates with an interval of 3 months.Results:A total of 91 patients were using orthoses while 36 patients were not within assessment dates. A total of 64 of 91 (70.3%) patients were diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. A total of 81 (89.0%) subjects were using plastic ankle-foot orthoses for positioning at nights and 10 (11%) were using different types of the orthoses (knee-ankle-foot orthoses, dynamic ankle-foot orthoses, and so on) for gait in the study group.Conclusions:Night ankle-foot orthoses were not found to be effective directly on functional performance in children with neuromuscular diseases, although they protect ankle from contractures and may help to correct gait and balance.Clinical relevanceThis retrospective study shows that the positive effects of using an ankle-foot orthosis at night are not reflected in the functional performance of children with neuromuscular diseases. This may be due to the progressive deteriorating nature of the disease. HubMed – rehab

 

A custom-made neoprene thumb carpometacarpal orthosis with thermoplastic stabilization: An orthosis that promotes function and improvement in patients with the first carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis.

Prosthet Orthot Int. 2013 May 17;
Bani MA, Arazpour M, Hutchins SW, Layeghi F, Bahramizadeh M, Mardani MA

Background and aim:Patients with mild to moderate first carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis report pain, a reduction in pinch and grip strength and hand function. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of a custom-made neoprene thumb carpometacarpal orthosis with thermoplastic stabilization on pain, function, grip strength, and key pinch in these patients.Technique:A total of 11 volunteer patients participated in this study. All the above-mentioned parameters were evaluated at baseline and also 30, 60, and 90 days after using the splint.Discussion:A decrease in pain was observed after 30 days, and this continued to improve during treatment with the splint. After 90 days of using the splint, grip strength was improved. Function and pinch strength also increased significantly and was maintained during the study period compared to baseline.Clinical relevanceA custom-made neoprene thumb carpometacarpal orthosis with thermoplastic stabilization may be a suitable conservative approach for the treatment of first carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis. HubMed – rehab

 

Art therapy among palliative care inpatients with advanced cancer.

Palliat Med. 2013 Jun; 27(6): 571-2
Rhondali W, Lasserre E, Filbet M

HubMed – rehab