title: Cosmetic, functional, independent: self-help aids.
abstract: Self-help orthotics have been developed to assist functional activities for high-level spinal cord injured patients. The goal of rehabilitation has been to do this with as little intrusion on independence and cosmesis as possible. This paper describes devices to help a patient with C6 quadriplegia independently place his own utensils and eat with an almost normal appearance. The new self-help aids are made from standard silverware, a rivet, and two one-eighth-inch Kydex loops. The loops are riveted centrally on the utensil, allowing for free rotation. The device was evaluated on a patient with C6, complete quadriplegia. The subject demonstrated independence in donning and doffing the device and in eating with an almost normal appearance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo 43699.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Nemunaitis
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Herbison
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012656:Self-Help Devices