J Korean Burn Soc.  2009 Jun;12(1):68-72.

Dynamic Elbow Flexion Orthosis for Elbow Flexion Limit in Upper Extremity Burn

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Burn Center, Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. jangkiun@hanmail.net

Abstract

PURPOSE: Patients who have a elbow flexion limitation from burn often contend with a severe functional problem in activity of daily living. Positional splint or serial casting have been invented to prevent from elbow contracture, which splint could not improved the range of motion more than 90 flexion. The purpose of this article is to present a dynamic forced elbow flexion orthosis with limited motion joint to overcome the problem of less effective function of correctability of conventional splints.
METHODS
The cases were 3rd degree burned patients of upper extremities who had a elbow joint flexion limitation from the post burn skin or joint contracture. This dynamic elbow flexion brace device was fabricated with the dynamic force of the elbow joint, which was induced by a rubber band or spring device into the orthotic joint. The orthosis kept a lower grade constant corrective force with coustom made design and strong strap fixation with comfortable material.
RESULTS
This dynamic elbow flexion brace device was fabricated for two burn patients who had 24% and 37% TBSA in a flame burn with extensive involvement of the upper extremities. They developed hypertrophic scar and skin contracture around both elbow joint. Both patients had moderate to severe elbow joint limitation of motion. Patients with elbow limitation had improved the range of motion more than 90 flexion by this dynamic elbow flexion brace.
CONCLUSION
The dynamic forced elbow flexion orthosis with limited motion joint had improved the range of motion more than 90 flexion, however those has some problems which ought to be improved to more effective and comfortable function.

Keyword

Elbow contracture; Dynamic splint; Burn; Joint limitation

MeSH Terms

Braces
Burns
Cicatrix, Hypertrophic
Contracture
Elbow
Elbow Joint
Humans
Joints
Orthotic Devices
Range of Motion, Articular
Rubber
Skin
Splints
Upper Extremity
Rubber
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