Effectiveness of Newly Designed Modified Extension-Type Sling for the Subluxated Shoulder in Hemiplegia

OBJECTIVE: To test the effectiveness of the METS (modified extension-type sling) in reducing subluxation in patients with hemiplegic shoulders, and to assess the functional support of METS as the angle of the elbow changes. METHOD: Sixteen flaccid hemiplegics were assessed by the anteroposterior shoulder radiographs. Three parameters, vertical distance (VD), horizontal distance (HD) and joint distance (JD), were measured on both affected and unaffected sides before and after the fitting of the METS and the Bobath sling. Three parameters were also measured in each elbow flexion angle (0degrees, 30degrees, 60degrees, 90degrees) after the fitting of the METS and extension-type sling with a forearm cuff to evaluate the effectiveness in the dynamic condition. RESULTS: In the Bobath sling, the mean values of VD and JD reduced significantly (p0.05). In the Bobath sling, VD, HD and JD were different from the unaffected side (p0.05). As the elbow flexion angle increased with the METS, three parameters were not different from the unaffected side (p>0.05), but with the extension-type sling with a forearm cuff, VD and JD were different from the unaffected side (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The METS was more effective not only in the reduction of the hemiplegic shoulder subluxation, but also in the maintenance of reduction as the elbow flexion angle changes within various activities.

Effect of the Foot Orthosis for Children Scoliosis Caused by Inequality of Resting Calcaneal Stance Position Angle

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of custom molded foot orthosis without heel lift in scoliosis patients who had different pelvic height caused by inequality of RCSPA (resting calcaneal stance position angle). METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed the medical data of all patients who had been prescribed custom molded foot orthosis without heel lift in our institution from 2005 to 2009 and chose 38 scoliosis patients with Cobb's angle (> or =10degrees) and different pelvic height (> or =5 mm) caused by inequality of RCSPA (> or =2degrees). Radiologic findings of whole spine AP and RCSPA were measured pre and post treatment and compared. RESULTS: Twenty two females and sixteen males were included in this study. Their mean age was 7.76+/-3.72 years. Their mean period of wearing orthosis was 14.11+/-3.25 months. Initial average Cobb's angle of 13.18+/-3.16degrees were reduced to 7.42+/-3.45degrees (p<0.001). Initial difference of height between right and left iliac crest of 0.87+/-0.26 cm reduced to 0.55+/-0.28 cm (p<0.01) and angle of pelvic inequality of 3.98+/-1.55degrees reduced to 2.54+/-1.27degrees (p<0.05). Initial difference of RCSPA between right and left of 3.69+/-1.54degrees decreased to 1.69+/-1.54degrees (p<0.01). Each parameter has significantly reduced 12 months after the wearing of the custom molded foot orthosis in scoliosis patients whose age was 9 or below, whose Cobb's angle at 15degrees or lower. CONCLUSION: The custom molded foot orthosis without heel lift was effective for scoliosis patients, who had different pelvic height caused by inequality of RCSPA.