Project number
16051
Organization
UA College of Medicine and Department of Biomedical Engineering
Academic year
2016-2017
Elbow stiffness after surgery is common and debilitating. It is caused by fibrous tissue accumulating in the joint and surrounding structures during healing, and exacerbated by the rigid bracing used to stabilize the elbow after surgery.
Daily motion exercises to treat stiffness can be painful and ineffective. The goal of this project is to design and create a motor-hinged elbow orthosis that maintains joint motion and breaks down scar tissue during the six-month healing period.
The device designed aids recovery after surgery and has the advantage over physical therapy of being wearable and controllable by the patient. In flexing and extending the arm, the orthotic helps the patient move the arm to a predetermined angle per doctor’s orders.
Daily motion exercises to treat stiffness can be painful and ineffective. The goal of this project is to design and create a motor-hinged elbow orthosis that maintains joint motion and breaks down scar tissue during the six-month healing period.
The device designed aids recovery after surgery and has the advantage over physical therapy of being wearable and controllable by the patient. In flexing and extending the arm, the orthotic helps the patient move the arm to a predetermined angle per doctor’s orders.