An adjustable shoulder abduction orthosis for the post-operative management of tendon transfers: A preliminary study

Erel S., ŞİMŞEK İ. E., Ayhan C., Bek N., Yakut Y., Uygur F.

PROSTHETICS AND ORTHOTICS INTERNATIONAL, vol.32, no.2, pp.129-135, 2008 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 32 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2008
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/03093640802015755
  • Journal Name: PROSTHETICS AND ORTHOTICS INTERNATIONAL
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.129-135
  • Keywords: obstetric brachial plexus palsy, orthosis, shoulder abduction orthosis, rehabilitation, LATISSIMUS-DORSI TRANSFER, BRACHIAL-PLEXUS, STIMULATION
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Transfer of Musculus Latissimus dorsi/M. Teres major to the rotator cuff with or without M. Subscapularis/M. Pectoralis release is a widely used procedure for restoring shoulder abduction and external rotation in squeal of obstetric brachial plexus palsy. After the operation a shoulder abduction orthosis in maximal external rotation and 90-100 abduction is utilized following six weeks of immobilization in a shoulder spica cast for protecting the newly transferred muscle from undue elongation. However this in turn may cause contracture of the external rotators. To overcome this problem, a modified shoulder abduction splint with adjustable internal-external rotation/abduction-adduction ranges was developed in the orthotics department of a rehabilitation center. The custom molded adjustable shoulder abduction orthosis is described and the preliminary results are compared with former applications.