Abstract
Generally a balanced forearm orthosis (BFO) is used to assist the dystrophic patients with proximal muscle weakness in performing upper extremity activities. It is adjustable so that the arm will run downhill with gravity and will be moved uphill by the muscles.
An adjustable not severely weakened and well co-ordinated muscle as power source must be available to drive the ordinary BFO uphill and downhill. However, the patients with severe proximal weakness or paralysis are often unable to drive or control this orthosis.
We have recently developed an externally powered balanced forearm orthosis for them.
The results of clinical use in two limb-girdle dystrophic patients with severely proximal weakness showed that this device was an effective and useful one.
