10 Steps to Fabricate a Static Progressive Elbow Flexion Orthosis

Gaining passive elbow flexion

The static progressive elbow flexion orthosis is ideal to treat elbow stiffness and limitations in passive range of motion. It incorporates a variety of non-elastic outriggers, which help to place the stiff elbow joint in its maximum tolerable end range position. Learn how to fabricate this adjustable orthosis in 10 steps.

Elbow stiffness, with limitations in active and passive range of motion, is a common complication of trauma, work injuries and/or sports injuries.

The elbow joint is a critical link between the upper arm and the forearm. It contributes to the positioning of the hand for all functional activities of daily living. Even minimal limitations in active and/or passive range of elbow motion, can impact a patient’s functional ability.

The role of orthotic fabrication

Orthoses are commonly used to treat elbow stiffness and limitations in passive range of motion. The treatment of stiff elbow joints is based on the viscoelastic nature of connective tissue and its ability to respond to tensile loading of the soft tissue.

Therapists can choose to fabricate:

• Serial Static Orthoses
• Dynamic Orthoses
• Static Progressive Orthoses

All types of orthoses can lead to positive outcomes. The evidence indicates that patients should wear the orthosis, as recommended, for up to a year or until the patients reach a plateau in gaining functional joint range of motion.

Static Progressive Orthosis: Step-by-Step Tutorial

Static Progressive Orthoses incorporate a variety of non-elastic outriggers. These help to place the stiff elbow joint in its maximum tolerable end range position. This means that the patient does not feel pain, but a tolerable low load tension. Once possible, the patient can increase the tension on the stiff joint by placing it in a new tolerable end range position.

Here are instructions for the fabrication of a static progressive orthosis to gain passive elbow flexion using hook and loop strapping in 10 steps.

1. Create the base

Use a rectangle of Orfit NS or Aquafit (Orfit Natural NS) in 3.2 mm (1/8”) to fabricate a circumferential posterior based elbow orthosis using the pinch method.

2. Finish the edges

Trim away excess material and pinches and apply strapping.

3. Mark the elbow joint

Mark the elbow joint on the material with a line across the entire orthosis. Draw a perpendicular line, about 5 cm (2″) across the first line, on the lateral and medial sides. This will indicate how the orthosis should be put back together using Orficast hinges.

 4. Create two parts

Cut the orthosis at the elbow joint into two parts: an upper arm component and a forearm component.

Trim the corners and smooth the edges.

5. Fabricate Orficast hinges

Prepare two hinges using Orficast 6 cm (2.5”) with a length of 7.5 cm (3”).  Activate the Orficast in the splint pan and roll it tightly into tubes. Flatten the ends and trim for easier attachment.

6. Attach the hinges to the orthosis

Scrape off the coating at the spots marked on the upper arm and forearm components. Using the heat gun, heat up both of these marked spots as well as the flattened ends of the Orficast hinges. Attach firmly together.

7. Create Orficast loops

Using two additional pieces of rolled Orficast 6 cm (2.5”), create loops and attach these to the upper arm component near the top strap.

8. Attach the loop strapping

Take a 1-1.5 m (4-5’) long piece of loop strapping and attach the middle of it at the distal end of the forearm component, creating one strap on each side of the arm. The strapping can be attached directly to the orthosis in a few different ways:

• By using dry heat
• By sticking adhesive-backed hook to the orthosis
• By placing it through an additional Orficast loop

9. Fit the orthosis on the patient

The patient puts their arm into both components of the orthosis, strapping it securely on the upper arm and forearm. Then, each loop strap is threaded through the Orficast loop at the upper arm.

The loop strap is attached onto itself by means of an adhesive-backed hook square. To make this square, take a rectangular piece of hook tape and fold it into itself to create hook on both sides.

10. Adjust the tension of the orthosis

Increase the tension on the elbow joint by pulling the long loop straps and moving the square of hook to lock in place. The tension should be enough so that the patient feels some tension, but not too much, so that the placement does not cause pain.

References:

Schwartz, D. A. (2012). Static progressive orthoses for the upper extremity: a comprehensive literature review. Hand, 7(1), 10-17.

Veltman, E. S., Doornberg, J. N., Eygendaal, D., & van den Bekerom, M. P. (2015). Static progressive versus dynamic splinting for posttraumatic elbow stiffness: a systematic review of 232 patients. Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery, 135(5), 613-617.

Ulrich, S. D., Bonutti, P. M., Seyler, T. M., Marker, D. R., Morrey, B. F., & Mont, M. A. (2010). Restoring range of motion via stress relaxation and static progressive stretch in posttraumatic elbow contractures. Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery, 19(2), 196-201.