Upper Limb Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation of the Arm and Hand

The recovery and rehabilitation of the arm and hand after neurological injury, illness or disease is often slow and difficult. The arm and hand is designed to perform very skilled movements which allow us to do day to day activities. These can include, using our phones and tablets, picking up objects, opening jars, turning pages, sorting coins, eating food, the list goes on. To allow us to perform all of these intricate tasks the brain is wired to the hand for speed and accuracy. This makes it very vulnerable to injury and consequently rehabilitation can be slow.

At PhysioFunction we use a range of ‘hands on’ techniques and rehabilitation technology to promote rehabilitation and maximise the outcomes of therapy. It is important to keep the muscles and joints of the hand and arm as healthy as possible and this remains a key focus throughout rehabilitation. The aim of physiotherapy is to achieve as much function as possible and work towards an individual’s own goals. In some instances we will use rehabilitation technology to allow our patients to use their arm and hand in ways that they would otherwise be unable to do so..

Saebo:

Saebo products enable people with neurological impairments such as stroke the ability to work on their hand function in physiotherapy sessions and at home.

SaeboFlex is an arm training programme designed to help recovery of arm function following an neurological injury. The hand therapy device assists with thumb and finger extension so that grasp and release tasks can be accomplished. The SaeboFlex is suitable for stroke, head injury, spinal injury and cerebral palsy. Clients several years post injury can benefit from the SaeboFlex.

SaeboReach incorporates the affected wrist, hand and elbow. The custom made above elbow cuff allows patients to use their elbow in functional uses, for example, in reaching during grasp and release activities. Along with repetitive task orientated activities the SaeboReach is a highly effective orthosis for maximising arm and hand recovery.

SaeboGlove is a light weight design that helps neurological and orthopedic clients with finger and thumb extension. The SaeboGlove positions the wrist and fingers into extension in preparation for functional activities. The client grasps an object by voluntarily flexing the fingers. The extension system assists with re-opening the hand to release the object.

SaeboStretch uses a revolutionary stretch technology, which allows the fingers to move through flexion caused by associated reactions and tone. The SaeboStretch can overcome issues which can result from traditional splints, namely deformity, joint damage, hypermobility and contractures. It includes three interchangeable hand peices, each with a different grade of resistance. This further protects joints and allows the clinician to customise it for individual needs. The liner is easily removed for routine cleaning

SaeboMAS is a dynamic mobile arm support system with zero gravity, specifically designed to challenge and incorporate the weakened shoulder and elbow during functional tasks and exercises. SaeboMAS enables the patient to perform exercises, as well as self-care activities. It also aids the patient to take part in proven treatment techniques which consist of repetitive tasks which would otherwise have been difficult or impossible. The SaeboMAS is table-mounted, height adjustable, lightweight and portable. It has an elbow support and an adjustable spring base offering various levels of assistance to the user. Multi-directional activities can be achieved.

The Myo Trac Infiniti is a portable biofeedback electrical stimulation system designed for neurological and orthopaedic patients. This is a device which offers both the Biofeedback Triggered Stimulation along with revolutionary Foot Drop technology. There are a number of programmes, including Electrical Stimulation, Reciprocal EMG Triggered Stimulation (RETS), Biofeedback and Specialised Foot Drop Stimulation Programme.

EMG Stimulation is the combination of biofeedback and stimulation and is based on the user’s voluntary muscle activity. The clinician will set the prescribed threshold that the client must reach. Once the client exceeds this threshold, they are rewarded with stimulation to the activated muscles. Patients who suffer from Dropped Foot can also benefit from the MyoTrac. The unique Foot Drop stimulation can trigger stimulation to the nerve and muscles, allowing the foot to lift and clear during walking. This aids motor relearning and aims to improve the patient’s gait.

Bioness NESS H200

The Bioness NESS H200 is an advanced therapy system designed to use mild electrical stimulation to improve the way your arm works. It may help you get the most out of therapy, and reduce complications including muscle spasms. If the Bioness NESS H200 is right for you, it may make it easier for you to drink from a glass, reach for things, write, and use two hands again. Plus, the NESS H200 may help your rehabilitation because it trains your hand so one day it might work better on its own. The NESS H200 is designed to be easy to use and can be put on with just one hand.

MediTutor
Many individuals following a Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Head Injury or Spinal Injury find it difficult to appreciate how much movement that they have in their hands, arms and legs. They often underestimate the recovery they have already made.

The MediTutor devices are wearable devices that are attached to the user's hand, arm or leg, and are connected to a computer. Any movement that the individual performs is displayed to them on the computer screen. The software is able to go a step further and exaggerate the movement so that the user can use their device to control various rehabilitation "games".

The HandTutor
The HandTutor is worn as a glove. It can measure the tiniest movements of opening and closing of the fingers and project them onto the computer screen. In the rehabilitation game, the user has to keep the red dot and it's tail inside the yellow track. Closing the hand makes the dot move down and relaxing or opening the hand makes the dot move up. As the movements improve, the HandTutor is "recalibrated" using the assessment software so that the amount of closing and opening that is required to move the red dot up and down is increased.

There are a number of games that challenge the user in different way - range of movement, speed of movement, accuracy and co-ordination. The software can help users throughout their rehabilitation journey providing feedback and reports that they can review with their treating therapist.

The ArmTutor
The ArmTutor helps individuals recover shoulder and elbow movements.It uses the same rehabilitation games as the HandTutor but the way the user controls the games is dependent on shoulder and elbow movements rather than hand and wrist movements.