Author: zingleader

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Contractures secondary to immobility: is the restriction articular or muscular? An experimental longitudinal study in the rat knee.

date: 01/01/2000
author: Trudel G, Uhthoff HK.
publication: Arch Phys Med Rehabilitation. 2000 Jan;81(1):6-13.
pubmed_ID: 10638868

OBJECTIVES: To measure articular structures’ contribution to the limitation of range of motion after joint immobility. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental, controlled study involving 40 adult rats that had one knee joint immobilized in flexion for durations of 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 weeks; 20 rats underwent a sham procedure. The angular displacement was measured both in flexion and extension at three different torques. Myotomy of transarticular muscles allowed isolation of the arthrogenic component of the contracture. RESULTS: A contracture developed in all immobilized knees. The articular structures were incrementally responsible for the limitation in range of motion (from 12.6 degrees +/-6.7 degrees at 2 weeks to 51.4 degrees +/-5.4 degrees at 32 weeks). The myogenic restriction proportionately decreased over time (from 20.1 degrees +/-8.4 degrees at 2 weeks to only 0.8 degrees +/-7.2 degrees at 32 weeks). The increase in the arthrogenic component of contracture was predominant in extension. CONCLUSION: This study quantified the increasing role of arthrogenic changes in limiting the range of motion of joints after immobility, especially as the period of immobility extended past 2 weeks. These data provide a better understanding of joint contracture development and can be used to guide therapeutic approaches.

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Reliability and comparison of weight-bearing ability during standing tasks for individuals with chronic stroke.

date: 08/01/2002
author: Eng JJ, Chu KS.
publication: Arch Phys Med Rehabilitation. 2002 Aug;83(8):1138-44.
pubmed_ID: 12161837

OBJECTIVES: To determine the test-retest reliability over 2 separate days for weight-bearing ability during standing tasks in individuals with chronic stroke and to compare the weight-bearing ability among 5 standing tasks for the paretic and nonparetic limbs. DESIGN: Prospective study using a convenient sample. SETTING: Free-standing tertiary rehabilitation center. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen community-dwelling stroke individuals with moderate motor deficits; volunteer sample. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Weight-bearing ability as measured by the vertical ground reaction force during 5 standing tasks (rising from a chair, quiet standing, weight-shifting forward, backward, laterally). RESULTS: The weight-bearing ability was less for the paretic limb compared with the nonparetic limb, but the intraclass correlation coefficients were high (.95-.99) for both limbs between the 2 sessions for all 5 tasks. The forward weight-shifting ability was particularly low in magnitude on the paretic side compared with the other weight-shifting tasks. In addition, the forward weight-shift ability of the nonparetic limb was also impaired but to a lesser extent. Large asymmetry was evident when rising from a chair, with the paretic limb bearing a mean 296N and the nonparetic side bearing a mean 458N. The weight-bearing ability during all 5 tasks correlated with one another (r range,.56-.94). CONCLUSIONS: Weight-bearing ability can be reliably measured and may serve as a useful outcome measure in individuals with stroke. We suggest that impairments of the hemiparetic side during forward weight shifting and sit-to-stand tasks presents a challenge to the motor systems of individuals with stroke, which may account for the poor balance that is often observed in these individuals. Copyright 2002 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

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Tilt table standing for reducing spasticity after spinal cord injury.

date: 10/01/1993
author: Bohannon RW
publication: Arch Physical Medicine Rehabilitation. 1993 Oct;74(10):1121-2.
pubmed_ID: 8215868

A patient with a T12 spinal cord injury and intractable extensor spasms of the lower extremities participated in tilt table standing trial on 5 nonconsecutive days to determine if the intervention would affect his spasticity and spasms. Each day’s standing trial was followed by an immediate reduction in lower extremity spasticity (measured using the modified Ashworth scale and pendulum testing). Standing was also accompanied by a reduction in spasms that lasted until the following morning. The reduction of spasms was particularly advantageous to the performance of car transfers. Tilt table standing merits further examination as a physical treatment of spasms that accompany central nervous system lesions.

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Educational Standing Seminar at Medtrade

Altimate Medical Inc., manufacturer of EasyStand standing frames, is sponsoring an educational seminar at Medtrade 2001, held in New Orleans, Louisiana. The seminar is titled Weight Bearing Distribution In Supported Standing: Effectiveness of Commonly Used Devices.

The speakers will be Jill Sparacio, OTR/L, ATP, ABDA, and Tina Roesler, MSPT. This session will review indications and precautions for supportive standing, identify and detail the benefits of standing, and use clinical findings to discuss effectiveness of specific standing devices. At this seminar, attendees will learn to compare and contrast between different styles of standers and learn unique applications of pressure mapping technologies in regards to assisted standing.

The seminar will be on Thursday, October 25th at 9:15 a.m. at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

For more information about EasyStand products, please call 800-342-8968 or visit us at Booth #1828 at Medtrade.

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Altimate Medical Inc. Awarded for High Safety Standards

EasyStand Safety Staff Members Altimate Medical (AMI) of Morton was recently re-certified for the MNSHARPS (Minnesota Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program) award by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Safety. This award is granted to firms in Minnesota that achieve and maintain excellence in workplace safety and health. This is the 4th consecutive year AMI has been the recipient of this award. Two employees, Levi Knobloch and Steve Schmidt represented the company and received the award at the Governor’s Safety Award Luncheon held in St. Paul in May.

To achieve this MNSHARPS status, managers and employees must work together to develop and implement safety and health programs that go beyond basic compliance with all OSHA standards.

Altimate Medical presently employs 37 people and has been in business for 14 years. They manufacture and sell EasyStand’s, a device that assists the physically handicapped to stand. AMI recently completed an addition to their facility in Morton, which more than doubled the office space.

 

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Independent Kneepads Flip-Up for Easier Transfers into EasyStand

EasyStand 5000 Independent KneepadsAltimate Medical Inc. (AMI) has added Flip-Up Independent Kneepads to the EasyStand 5000 standing system. The Flip-Up feature will allow the individual using the stander to transfer into it easier and safer. The Flip-Up Kneepads are designed for individuals who may have knee contractures, leg length discrepancies, or require more adjustment in their kneepad. The Independent Kneepads can be adjusted individually in height and depth.

The EasyStand 5000 is a modular standing frame, allowing options like the Flip-Up Independent Kneepads to be added at anytime.

For more information, please contact Altimate Medical Inc. at 1-800-342-8968.