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Persons with physical challenges need assistive devices to improve their ability to move about, and even for speech, and hand functions. It has been seen that these devices, produced imaginatively and with due care can go a long way to provide the much needed help in many cases. The “Jaipur foot” is a classic example. In today’s world where geographical borders have become irrelevant as far as communication and spread of knowledge are concerned, it has become easy to get to know the latest developments taking place anywhere in the world and to adapt them to our requirements. In this background, a Centre for Research on Orthotic Management has been set up in Adarsh Trust , which trains , in its special schools, over 200 children affected by Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Learning Disorders & Downs Syndrome, with another 300 children undergoing training in special schools set up with motivation and help from Adarsh. The Research team consists of one physiotherapist and an orthotist with assistance and guidance from occupational therapists, special educators and parents as well as Orthopaedic doctors and manufacturers of such appliances.
The research and Development wing of Adarsh Charitable Trust has been able to bring about some modifications in three existing orthoses. FSEE ORTHOSES. (Fore arm Supination. Elbow Extension Orthoses) Cerebral Palsy affected children find it difficult to extend the elbow joint because of spasticity. The usual protocol is to provide an Elbow extension orthosis or an arm gaiter. Both these splints, however, do not help the child to supinate (turn the palm towards face) the fore arm. FSEE Orthosis helps the child to extend the elbow and to supinate the forearm. The position can be maintained or adjusted to any desired degree. . The newly designed orthosis is made of co-polymer high temperature polypropylene. It consists of two pieces, Proximal and Distal. The proximal piece starts from the middle of the arm and extends up to two thirds of the upper forearm. The distal piece starts from distal palmar crease and extends up and overlaps the proximal piece. The distal piece can be rotated to get the desired supination and can be maintained with an in built velcro strap. Maintaining an effective stretched position after physiotherapy and functional training is possible with these orthoses. ADDUCTOR SEPARATOR INCORPORATED C.P. CHAIR
Spasticity in the lower limbs restricts a CP Child from sitting properly even on a special chair. Usually, an adductor separator, made of wood with padding, is attached to the chair, . to prevent forward sliding and causing injury in thigh region. The R&D wing of Adarsh has tried to improve this situation by changing the material used for the manufacture of the adductor separator- using high temperature Polypropylene with the additional facility of being able to adjust the separator antero-posteriorly, to suit the child's comfort without altering the sitting posture and with out hurting the genital organs. It helps the child to sit comfortably and to perform the daily routine activities even while attending to academic training. STANDING FRAME (Wall Mounted Type) A standing frame helps a child to stand properly. Standing frames , generally in use, cost about Rs. 3000 to Rs. 4000 each and occupy a lot of space. The standing frame designed by the R&D wing is more economical and occupies very little space, just about the space needed for a child to stand. The frequency of standing training can thus be increased by inducing many parents to provide this device, economical and less space occupying, at home. The standing frame is made of wood and can be mounted on a wall in the desired position. Technical experts and professionals from different agencies like Sai Rehab center have collaborated in these ventures. |
