Importance

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Abstract

A wrist brace provides a mounting point, a means to hold the hand in position relative to the apparatus, and spreads the force evenly over a large area. Positioned over the dorsal surface of the brace is a 'U' shaped transverse member that is attached to the wrist brace through two swivel joints on the ulnar and radial sides of the brace. The pivot means are positioned such that a straight line drawn between them generally passes through the axes of rotation of the metacarpal phalangeal (MP) joints. Positioned dorsally above the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint are two members, one of which has an arc shaped tail for its dorsal surface. The other is a slider block which engages and slides around this first arc member. The arc member is mounted to the middle phalanx of the subject finger in such a way that the projected center of the arc would be coincident with the axis of rotation of the PIP Joint. Two `K` wires, fixation pins or screws are drilled through the dorsal cortex of the surface of the middle phalanx and extend into the palmar cortex. An adjustment means is provided to facilitate positioning the center of the arc coincident with the axis of rotation of the PIP joint. A linkage connects the slider block to the 'U' shaped transverse member. The proximal end of this linkage is attached to the 'U' shaped transverse member through another swivel joint. The distal end is attached to the slider block through a pin axis joint. This linkage allows the finger to deviate in the radial and ulnar direction and to rotate through its normal range of motion during finger extension and flexion. An adjustment means is added to the length of this linkage to permit the apparatus to accommodate different hand sizes.

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First Claim