Abstract:
This paper will describe the process of applying external power technology in the
traditionally complex clinical area of brachial plexus injury (BPI) management. The acute
and long term management of people who have acquired BPI’s often presents the clinical
team with many complex management challenges. Simpson [1] concisely summarised the
core functional prerequisites that are needed for upper limb function as:
• Proximal stability – shoulder integrity
• Placement in space – ability to position the limb
• Functional grasp – the effectiveness of prehension.
When BPI’s are so frequently accompanied by closed head injuries, a further prerequisite is
simplicity in design and operation. We intend to illustrate the importance of considering
these principles through the presentation of a single case study of a client who we have been
working with for the past 7 years.
