Homemade Aids for Stretching Joints

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HealthWiki > Disabled Village Children > Chapter 16: Juvenile Arthritis: Chronic Arthritis in Children > Homemade Aids for Stretching Joints

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In this chapter:

 

In this chapter:

Because daily movement of joints is so important with arthritis, casts should be avoided whenever possible. So try to figure out other ways to correct contractures. Use whatever materials you can find, such as plastic, bamboo, and inner tubes.

These are a few of the examples of aids invented in a Mexican village for a girl with arthritis.

CAUTION! Make sure that the aids pull in a way that does not cause dislocations.

KNEE

METHOD 1:

rivets thick plastic, bamboo, or some other springy material

plastic from an old bucket, bent or heatmolded to fit A pad behind the knee helps prevent the leg from dislocating backward.

METHOD 2:

wood, plastic, or metal (take care that it does not press on the knee)

plastic or leather

The strongest pull should be near the knee to prevent dislocation.

rubber (inner tube) The pull can be adjusted.

Note: The behind-the-knee aid usually works the best. It is steadier and so causes less muscle tightening. Because it holds the leg more firmly, it is less likely to cause dislocations. It is also more comfortable and less awkward.

WRIST

Over-the-hand support

bamboo, thick plastic, or metal strip of inner tube leather or cloth plastic from an old bucket

Under-the-hand support

The plastic should bend up into the palm of the hand. heat-molded plastic (or metal from an old can) bamboo or other springy material

For other aids and devices for straightening contractures, see Chapter 59.

This page was updated:04 Apr 2024