PSEUDOELASTIC HINGES PROMOTING MUSCLE 'CREEP' AS OPPOSED TO RELAXATION FOR THE REHABILITATION OF SPASTIC SYNDROMES

摘要

The evolution of spastic pathologies as a consequence of brain damage is a complex phenomenon involving disuse, immobility and brain tissue remodeling [1]. The vicious circle leading to a worsening of the patients' status proceeds through muscle shortening by contractures, disruption of the normal reflex behaviour and sensory disturbances. A way to prevent chronicity of major consequences could be to favour mobility and any residual use of the affected limb. The main advantages of applying pseudoelastic NiTi alloy in orthotics lies in an improved tolerability (e.g. for patients with contractures such that repositioning is particularly painful or affected by uncontrolled motor synergies or myocloni or dystonia); the opportunity to exploit residual active mobility during repositioning therapies (i.e. not imposing a forceful immobility); and the availability of a different technology for the construction of dynamic gait orthoses (i.e. with hinges having substantially different mechanical characteristics, which might prove more suitable for selected walking patterns). Some preliminary results provided promising evidence in favour of this approach [2-3].