$elbow brace for radial head fracture$

#Elbow brace for radial head fracture manual#

The most commonly used paddings are silicone or neoprene they help to avoid sores which would occur with direct contact between the limb and metal frame.Īdjustable range of motion brace (forearm in any position).

#Elbow brace for radial head fracture manual#

with a knob or Allen key for manual adjustment of the ROM. The joint may be the unrestrained or “ROM-type”, i.e. Ready-made braces mostly consist of an aluminum frame, which can be combined with a joint, padding and straps. Cork braces, because of the flexibility of this material, allow small movements of the elbow and are therefore preferable in order to avoid excessive immobilization. The simplest ready-made braces are splints made of cardboard or cork which are fixed in place with elastic bands. Splint tuners are mostly made of metal and serve to lock elbow flexion-extension at a set level. Braces manufactured with this type of material can be combined with straps or with unhinged, locked or progressively adjustable mechanical joints. Currently, thermoplastic materials (polyethylene or polypropylene) are the ones mainly used, in thicknesses ranging from 2 to 5 mm according to the required stiffness and strength. In the past the most commonly used materials for customized braces were metal alloys. Furthermore, braces can be customized or ready-made. According to Jacobs ( 5), braces can have fixed protection or locked articulation, allow an adjustable ROM to restrict flexion-extension and pronation-supination, or allow dynamic and static progressive movement ( Tab. Since elbow braces are used for different clinical situations and objectives, there exist several different types. These are used with different aims according to the pathology, the phase of treatment and the final objective of the treatment. The rehabilitation program includes the use of elbow braces. In particular, in the inflammatory phase the aim is to control pain and swelling, in the fibroblastic phase it is to recover range of movement (ROM) and muscle flexibility, while in the remodeling phase the aim is to recover neuromuscular control ( 4). Furthermore, the rehabilitation treatment must respect the phases of histological healing and, accordingly, have different objectives in each phase. Therefore, in elbow rehabilitation, mobilization must be started early in the presence of combined lesions of the ligamentous structures, the joint must be protected to prevent these structures from being placed under tension during movement. Indeed, immobilization alters the orientation and mechanical properties of the peri-articular soft tissues ( 3), actin-myosin binding and peripheral afferent nerve stimulation. Due to its articular, muscular and neuromotor complexity, the elbow is often prone to stiffness, especially if, following an injury or operation, it is immobilized for a long period of time ( 2). Pronation-supination movements (rotating the palm of the hand) facilitate the reaching and grasping of objects. Flexion-extension movements regulate the length of the limb, allowing the hand to be brought to the mouth or moved in the space around the body. In the elbow, peri-articular muscles and soft tissues interact in a complex way to maintain joint homeostasis and regulate movement through proprioceptive feedback. The elbow, the middle joint of the upper limb, enables the hand to be placed at varying distances from the body ( 1). Their use requires a considerable amount of physician time to achieve the objectives envisaged by the rehabilitation program. However, the effectiveness of braces in the rehabilitation treatment of elbow stiffness depends on the patient’s compliance. The latter plays a special role in conservative treatment and following surgical release. They can have fixed protection or locked articulation, allow an adjustable range of movement to restrict flexion-extension and pronation-supination, or allow dynamic and static progressive movement.

$elbow brace for radial head fracture$

Different types of brace are used depending on clinical situation and the objectives to be achieved. Rehabilitation of the elbow includes the use of braces. In the presence of lesions to the ligamentous structures, the joint must be protected to prevent these structures from being placed under tension during movement. Therefore, mobilization of the posttraumatic elbow must be started early. The articular, muscular and neuromotor complexity of the elbow is such that it is often prone to stiffness, especially if immobilized for long periods of time. The elbow, the middle joint of the upper limb, enables the hand to be placed at various distances from the body.

$elbow brace for radial head fracture$