COBRA SPLINT: This special splint has been designed specially quadriplegics with C-5 neurological level to achieve their independence in (i) Writing (ii) Typing (iii) Operating Laptop/i-pad and Mobile (iv) Feeding (v) Brushing. The very first Cobra Splint was developed by Department of Assistive Technology at Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi in 2008 for a person with spinal cord injury who was the banker. Since than we have provided number of splint to many of our clients with quadriplegia. Finally we have come up with the name of this highly popular hand splint.
Current batch in Assistive Technology Course
From left to right:
(L) Gundeep, Meenal, Swati, Puneet, Divya, Akshay, Lipika, myself and Harleen (R)
Masters students (OT) in Assistive Technology Course (batch 2011-12 and 12-13) at ISIC Institute of Rehab Sciences have been creatively involved in finish line of the final design. We have decided to take this step up to the next level to reach more and more people with SCIs (quadriplegics) by achieving their maximum independence to deal with daily activities at the home, work place, school, business and other area related to the daily activities.
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What is Quadriplegia?
Cervical (neck) injuries usually result in four limb paralysis. This is referred to as Tetraplegia or Quadriplegia. Injuries above the C-4 level may require a ventilator or electrical implant for the person to breathe. This is because the diaphragm is controlled by spinal nerves exiting at the upper level of the neck. The well documented horse riding accident of Christopher Reeve (Superman) resulted in a 'complete' spinal cord injury above C3 and he now has to use a mechanical ventilator via a hole in his throat to breathe. You can also have an incomplete quadriplegic injury too
C-5 injuries often result in shoulder and biceps control, but no control at the wrist or hand. C-6 injuries generally yield wrist control, but no hand function. Individuals with C-7 and T-1 injuries can straighten their arms but still may have dexterity problems with the hand and fingers.
Quadriplegia is far more debilitating than paraplegia as the arms are paralysed too. The descriptions below detail what is likely to be expected functionally with the different levels of tetraplegia. It is only intended as a guide and should be read as such.
About C-5 Quadriplegia: C-5 Quadriplegics have functional deltoid and/or biceps musculature. They can internally rotate and abduct the shoulder, which causes forearm pronation by gravity. Wrist flexion is similarly produced. They can externally rotate the shoulder and cause supination and wrist extension. They can bend the elbow, but elbow extension can only be produced by gravity, or by forceful horizontal abduction of the shoulder and inertia or shoulder external rotation.
C-5 patients require assistance to perform bathing and lower body dressing functions, for bowel and bladder care, and for transfers. With the use of balanced forearm orthoses, long opponens orthoses, or universal cuffs and adaptive equipment, C-5 patients can feed themselves, perform oral facial hygienic and upper body dressing activities, operate computers, tape recorders, telephone, etc. and participate in leisure activities. They can propel manual wheelchairs short distances on level surfaces, although the hand-hand rim interface should be modified with vertical or horizontal lugs (or plastic tubing can be wrapped around the rims), and gloves should be worn to protect the hands. Powered wheelchairs, propelled with a hand control, are needed for community distances and outdoor terrain.
Reference: http://www.spinal-injury.net/quadriplegia.htm for this write up
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