A newly developed upper limb single-joint HAL in a patient with elbow flexion reconstruction after traumatic brachial plexus injury: A case report

Shigeki Kubota, PhD; Yuki Hara, MD, PhD; Yukiyo Shimizu, MD; Hideki Kadone, PhD; Tadashi Kubo, MS; Aiki Marushima, MD, PhD; Tomoyuki Ueno, MD; Hiroaki Kawamoto, PhD; Masao Koda, MD, PhD; Akira Matsumura, MD, PhD; Yasushi Hada, MD, PhD; Yoshiyuki Sankai, PhD; Masashi Yamazaki, MD, PhD

Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery (Dec 2017)

A newly developed upper limb single-joint HAL in a patient with elbow flexion reconstruction after traumatic brachial plexus injury: A case report

Shigeki Kubota, PhD,
Yuki Hara, MD, PhD,
Yukiyo Shimizu, MD,
Hideki Kadone, PhD,
Tadashi Kubo, MS,
Aiki Marushima, MD, PhD,
Tomoyuki Ueno, MD,
Hiroaki Kawamoto, PhD,
Masao Koda, MD, PhD,
Akira Matsumura, MD, PhD,
Yasushi Hada, MD, PhD,
Yoshiyuki Sankai, PhD,
Masashi Yamazaki, MD, PhD

Affiliations

Shigeki Kubota, PhD: Division of Regenerative Medicine for Musculoskeletal System, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan; Corresponding author at: Division of Regenerative Medicine for Musculoskeletal System, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1, Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan.
Yuki Hara, MD, PhD: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
Yukiyo Shimizu, MD: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan
Hideki Kadone, PhD: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
Tadashi Kubo, MS: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan
Aiki Marushima, MD, PhD: Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
Tomoyuki Ueno, MD: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan
Hiroaki Kawamoto, PhD: Faculty of Systems and Information Engineering, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
Masao Koda, MD, PhD: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
Akira Matsumura, MD, PhD: Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
Yasushi Hada, MD, PhD: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan
Yoshiyuki Sankai, PhD: Faculty of Systems and Information Engineering, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
Masashi Yamazaki, MD, PhD: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 10
pp. 66 – 68

Abstract

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We report a case in which elbow flexion exercises using the upper limb single-joint Hybrid Assistive Limb (upper limb HAL-SJ) were implemented in a patient 13 months postoperatively following elbow flexion reconstruction with intercostal nerve transfer after a traumatic brachial plexus injury. Treatment using the upper limb HAL-SJ was administered once a week for 10 sessions from 13 to 16 months after surgery. Exercises using the upper limb HAL-SJ supported elbow motion by detecting bioelectric signals through surface electrodes on the biceps and triceps brachii. No adverse events were observed during treatment with the upper limb HAL-SJ. Improvements in elbow flexion strength were observed during treatment. Treatment with the upper limb HAL-SJ can be performed safely and effectively following elbow flexion reconstruction by intercostal nerve transfer after a traumatic brachial plexus injury.

Published in Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery

ISSN: 2214-7519 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Surgery; Medicine: Internal medicine: Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry: Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/interdisciplinary-neurosurgery/

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