Synergistic Wrist Dynamic Splint for Flexor Tendon Repair

• Main Authors: Ching-Shyoung Yang, 楊卿雄
• Other Authors: Y.L. Chou
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/93951979590870245404

碩士 === 國立成功大學 === 醫學工程學系 === 81 === Tendons are frequently injured by direct trauma. Tendon adhesions were a common factor compromising the results of tendon repair and to this day represent one of the most challenging problems in hand surgery. The concept of ``controlled motion'' gradually replaced ``total immobilization'' in the treatment of flexor tendon injuries and today represents a standard of care for all primary repaired flexor tendon injury. Early motion of tendon repairs with protective splint would increase tendon gliding and improving functional results. However, how best to achieve passive motion and the effect of passive motion on tendon gliding have remained controversial subjects. Based on a series of recent experiments, the concept of ``dynamic synergistic wrist motion splint'' was established and evaluated. It was found that this synergistic wrist motion increases the tendon excursion by eliminating the laxity and buckling of tendon in the regions between pulleys without introduce excessive amount of tension. The purpose of this study is to design and fabricate a dynamic splint based on this concept. It is proposed, first, to define the nature coordinated motion between the wrist and finger joints due to the passive tension of the muscles in vivo. Our experiment indicated that the synergistic wrist motion coordinated well significantly. Quantitativedescription is then possiblethrough the statistics andregression analysis. Then designsplint based the measuredcoordinated motion pattern. In current stage, the prototypesof four-bar, six-bar and eight-bar linkagesplint design havebeen completed. Futher theoretic analysis andpractical fit ison going. Parametric analysis will be conducted to achieve an optimum design with the consideration of anatomicconstraints. Clinical trial of using such dynamic splint willbe evaluated in the future.