Electrical stimulation of the lumbrical muscles in an incomplete quadriplegic patient: case report.
The increasing number of incomplete cervical spinal cord injuries means that more attention needs to be focused on the rehabilitation of the incomplete quadriplegic hand. A case study, describing the application of electrical stimulation for strengthening the paretic lumbrical muscles, is presented. A 2 week strengthening program resulted in a 33% increase in the force produced by the lumbrical muscles. No loss of strength had occurred 4 weeks after cessation of the treatment. The magnitude and speed of this result should be of interest to those clinicians who seek to maximise patient independence in minimal time.
Carroll
S G
SG
Department of Physiotherapy, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
Bird
S F
SF
Brown
D J
DJ
D000328:Adult; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D005385:Fingers / Q000503:physiopathology; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D009132:Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D011312:Pressure; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular