First clinical experience with a novel forearm boom.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Effective forearm support is crucial for dynamic wrist investigations and surgical procedures like arthroscopy.
• Existing devices may lack compatibility, safety features, or procedural flexibility required for complex orthopedic interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and evaluate a new forearm boom that meets specific criteria for wrist arthroscopy and distal radius fracture fixation.
• To assess the safety, compatibility, and functional impact of the novel forearm boom on patient outcomes and surgical procedures.

Main Methods:

• A new forearm boom was designed based on criteria including safe fixation, patient compatibility, sterilizability, and unimpeded surgical access.
• The device was utilized in 19 wrist arthroscopies and 9 distal radius fracture fixations across 28 patients with varying anthropometric measurements.
• Pre- and post-fixation wrist motion was assessed in arthroscopy patients to evaluate any functional restrictions imposed by the boom.

Main Results:

• The novel forearm boom successfully met all predefined design criteria.
• No restriction in wrist motion was observed after fixation with the device in patients undergoing wrist arthroscopy.
• The device demonstrated compatibility with a wide range of patient forearm lengths and heights.

Conclusions:

• The newly developed forearm boom is a safe and effective tool for wrist arthroscopy and distal radius fracture fixation.
• The device's design facilitates dynamic wrist investigation and surgical access without compromising patient comfort or range of motion.
• This innovative forearm boom shows significant potential value for orthopedic surgeons performing wrist and distal radius procedures.