ArmTutor Maximizes Improvement for Elbow Flexion in Brachial Plexus Injuries

Appearing in the Journal of Hand Surgery on December 2011 is a summary of a study about “Elbow Flexion in Brachial Plexus Injuries” by Prem Singh Bhandari, MCh and Prabal Deb, MD
Restoration of elbow flexion is an important goal in brachial plexus injuries. Double nerve transfers using fascicles from ulnar and median nerves have consistently produced good results without causing functional compromise to the donor nerve. According to conventional practice, these double nerve transfers are dependent on the careful isolation of ulnar and median nerve fascicles, which are responsible for wrist flexion, using a handheld nerve stimulator. Here we suggest that fascicular selection by nerve stimulation might not be a necessity when executing double nerve transfers for restoration of elbow flexion in brachial plexus injuries.
The conclusions reached were that double nerve transfer is a reliable technique for restoring elbow flexion in brachial plexus injuries. There is no advantage of using a nerve stimulator in selecting fascicles before performing the nerve transfer.
The ArmTutor™ system has been developed to allow for functional rehabilitation of the upper extremity and thus for Brachial Plexus injuries. The system consists of an ergonomic wearable arm brace and dedicated rehabilitation software. The ArmTutor™ system allows for a range of biomechanical evaluation including speed, passive and active range of motion and motion analysis of the upper extremity. Quantitative biomechanical data allow for objective evaluation and rehabilitation treatment follow up. The ArmTutor™ rehabilitation concept is based on performing controlled exercise rehabilitation practice at a patient customized level with real time accurate feedback on the patient’s performance. The exercises are designed in the form of challenging games that are suitable for a wide variety of neurological and orthopedic injury and disease.The games challenge the patient to perform the exercise task to their best ability and to continue exercise practice.
The ArmTutor™ allows for isolated and a combination of elbow and three directional shoulder treatment. The system provides detailed exercise performance instructions and precise feedback on the patients exercise performance. Controlled exercise of multijoints within the normal movement pattern prevents the development of undesired and compensatory joint movement and ensures better performance of functional tasks.
The Tutor system is currently used in physical rehabilitation for stoke patients as well as those with head/spinal cord/Radial and Ulnar nerve injuries, Parkinson’s disease, CP, MS, upper and lower limb surgeries and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.
The ArmTutor™ system together with its sister devices (HandTutor, LegTutor, 3DTutor) is used by many leading rehabilitation centers worldwide and has full FDA and CE certification. See www.HandTutor.com for more information.