A pronospination orthosis for the C4 or C5 tetraplegic arm: Two case reports

Abstract

The portable spring balancer (PSB) is a common assistive device used by patients with high cervical spinal cord injuries during tabletop activities. The control of forearm pronosupination is extremely important to perform certain activities of daily living in these patients ; however, the function of the control system is not mounted on the current PSB. The orthosis-controlled forearm pronosupination in a suitable positon was developed, and the orthotic therapy was performed for two patients (C4 and C5 functional level) who required total assistance with each activity of daily living. As a result of the therapy, the two patients were individually able to eat and brush their teeth. Moreover, the C5 patient was able to operate a smartphone. We believe that patients with high cervical spinal cord injuries, who currently are unable to do table top activities, will be able to do them with the aid of this orthosis.