ABSTRACT
Objective To measure the intra-brace pressure in a new fabricated three-dimensional dynamic brace and the intra-cast pressure in the rigid plaster cast,and compare the differences of pressures between the brace and cast. Methods Twenty healthy adult female volunteers involved in this study,with the mean age of 38.4 years.ranged from 26 to 44 years.The forearms of every subject were applied a traditional Dlaster cast and a new fabricated forearm three-dimensional dynamic brace respectively to immobilize the forearm and hand with the wrist at a neutral position,and the applying order was randomly.The intra-brace and intra-cast pressures were recorded at 8 points by using the Fuji pressure sensitive film with the hand at a position of fist and that of extended fingers.The 8 points were the bakc of hand,styloid process of ulna,dorsum of distal radius,abdomen of middle forearm,palm,metacarpus of distal radius,flexion muscle belly,and extension muscle belly.The pressures were compared between intra-brace and intracast.Results The dynamic brace provided greater holding force at the hand and at the distal orearm than the Dlaster cast,and greater immobilization at the wrist while allowing full finger function and greater support to the forearm during the hand movements.Conclusion The results indicates that the new fabricated dynamic brace has measurableadvantages in the immobilization compared to the plaster cast,and especially it can Drovide a persistent traction between the hand and forearm which is important for preventing displacement of the fractured segments.The uew dynamic brace can provide a new technique and represent a further development in the conservative management.