A new double-purpose device for elbow extension in tetraplegia with paralysis below C5

A new device for elbow extension, developed as a dynamic orthosis and also as a static splint for a C5 tetraplegic arm, is presented. A patient with tetraplegia, probably related to infection of the central and peripheral nervous system, had a paralysed right triceps muscle, with a very strong corresponding biceps. Extension by force of a posterior stretched rubber ring made the arm useful, while the possibility to lock the elbow hinges of the orthosis at any desired angle enabled static splinting of the elbow to increase the range of motion.