It was depressing that a caregiver had to do this rather than an OT who may see dozens of these every year. I do wonder how the Saebo-stretch would compare.
pictures here: http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cfm?pageid=19327&top=185093&deep=2&trail=11763,11824
article here:
http://www.symptomsbo.com/a-new-area-of-stroke-rehabilitation-froomsplint-to-provide-independence-for-the-victim-and-caregiver-4561.html
Gardena, CA (PRWEB) October 31, 2005
In 2003 while providing care for his mother after she survived a major stroke, Keith Froom, third generation inventor with 20 years of experience in research, design and manufacturing, designed the anti-spasticity Froomsplint® out of frustration with available splints and stroke therapy technology. After having used the Froomsplint®, his mother has had remarkable recovery that includes restoration of movement in the previously paralyzed side, the ability to perform all tasks previously enjoyed and a return to full-time office administration (typing, using computers, etc.). Carol Froom regained her driving privileges and is creating beautiful hand crafted greeting cards in her spare time.
When neurological paralysis occurs, the muscles involved don’t work and quickly begin to atrophy, which causes a shortening of muscles and thereby the “clawing” one often sees on stroke survivors. The available splints, Keith discovered, were bent to accommodate that clawing rather than correct it. In fact, he discovered that 60-80% of the physical therapy sessions were spent massaging and stretching hand and arm muscles; hence, only 10 – 15 minutes were available for rehabilitation.
In addition, without use of one body side, his mother and other rehab patients he observed were unable to perform the simplest of tasks like wiping on the toilet, washing in the shower and getting dressed. It became obvious why so much of stroke recovery is overcoming depression. So Keith got busy.
The Froomsplint®
The Froomsplint® is machined out of high quality plastic and has straps that attach to the hand it is available in small, medium and large sizes. It is reversible for right or left hand in a rigid model or an adjustable thumb model. Most importantly, the Froomsplint® hand orthosis can be applied or removed easily by patients, therapists or caregivers, minimizing the need for expensive tape; it is available by special order in smaller sizes for children. . The Froomsplint also has patented accessories that attach to walkers, wheelchairs and restroom fixtures. Keith Froom has also patented a line of exercise devices for rehabilitation.
Benefits of the Froomsplint®
Froomsplint is compact, comfortable and adjustable, easily used by the patient or caregiver. It expands weight-bearing rehabilitation from a supervised regimen to simple home-based therapy, creating a whole new area of stroke rehabilitation.
Allows for an extended weight-bearing surface, which in turn facilitates motor recovery, and aids patients and caregivers in performing stretching, strengthening and stabilization exercises. .
Helps maintain a weight-bearing surface for a recovering limb, so that dropping, holding and moving the upper body trunk, in relation to the distal limbs, is possible.
R.K. Froom & Co. Inc.
R.K. Froom & Co. Inc. was established in 2003 specifically to research and develop a line of medical equipment to aid the medical community in the home healthcare and rehabilitation field.
Businesses interested in manufacturing, licensing and distributing R.K. Froom & Co. Inc.’s integrated line of over fifteen stroke and rehabilitation devices for wheelchairs, walkers and home care are invited to contact us. The Froomsplint and its related devices were awarded patent # 6,949,077 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on September 27th, 2005.
My OT was great at making splints but with a better selection of manufacturable ones, I would have been able to get therapy during that time rather than being the model for the splint. And with hundreds of thousands of stroke survivors that means that many more hours of therapy that could be provided. The therapy schools could change their curricula to de-emphasize splint creation and work on learning more therapies for hand recovery.
Oh well, more tilting at windmills. PTs and PMR docs to come yet.
I wear a Saebo stretch splint at night. It bends when my wrist muscles spasm which helps these muscles relax. After my muscles relax the splint resumes its normal shape. When an OT spends time making an individualized splint he or she is making adjustments that will prevent skin sores and the discomfort caused by poorly fitted splints.
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