The ability to do these simple tasks reduces dependency on others, improves potential for employment and enhances quality of life. 

How to regain hand grasp and function

Spinal cord injury has been recorded in the hieroglyphs of Egypt. You can
imagine the trauma that might have been sustained by workers of the great
pyramids. This would be one of the first recorded industrial accidents.
Pictorial evidence of urinary catheterization has been recorded by these early
historians. It seems that spinal cord injury and other paralysis have been with
us since the dawn of mankind.

Life after a spinal cord injury can sometimes feel a little hopeless because you
have to rely on someone else for everything, even simple everyday tasks like
feeding yourself or brushing your teeth. Although modern medicine has not yet
found a way to cure paralysis, modern technology is starting to bridge the gap.

Table of contents

 * How to adapt on your daily life
 * Functional devices assist with everyday tasks
 * Neomano: Regain hand function and independence

 How to adapt on your daily life
More than one third of spinal cord injury survivors sustain an injury that
causes damage to the spinal cord in the cervical region and results in
tetraplegia. Most people with tetraplegia remain wheelchair-dependent and
reliant on others for physical care. Limited hand and upper limb function is
often more disabling and of greater importance to them than their inability to
walk. Even modest improvements in hand function can have life-changing
implications. For example, a small amount of finger movement enables a person
with tetraplegia to use a keyboard, press a switch, scratch the face and turn
the page of a book. The ability to do these simple tasks reduces dependency on
others, improves potential for employment and enhances quality of life.
Expanding these activities could be the aim of rehabilitation.



 Functional Devices Assist with Everyday Tasks
Over the years there have been many functional splints and devices created to
assist people with everyday tasks. One of the most commonly used functional
devices is called a universal cuff. A universal cuff can be used in a variety of
ways such as to hold a feeding utensil, tooth brush, or makeup brush, etc.
Depending on the level of the spinal cord injury, one may require a wrist
support splint along with the universal cuff or a mobile arm support which will
provide a gravity eliminated position for the upper extremity, allowing active
movement while utilizing less muscle strength.

Another common practice is utilizing foam to build up objects such as feeding
utensils, tooth brush, or writing utensils. If someone needs a little more
support for writing they may be recommended a functional writing splint such as
a figure eight splint or a Wanchik Writer splint.

There have been many other devices and custom splints created in order to
perform fun activities such as gardening, fishing and painting.


NeoMano: Regain Hand Function and Independence
Soft robotics is an emerging discipline that combines the classical principles
of robotics with soft materials and could provide a new class of active
assistive devices.  Neofect has created a soft robotic assistive device called 
NeoMano [http://neomano.neofect.com/] that helps with hand motions in order to
give people back their hand function and independence while only requiring one
device. NeoMano is a wearable robotic glove [http://neomano.neofect.com/] that
assists with the grasp and release of objects. The glove is a partial-glove
design that enables the thumb, pointer and middle finger to perform grasp and
release motions.

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Actuated by the motor and pulley, the wireless remote control enables the grip
and release of the index & middle finger. When activated, the Grip button flexes
the fingers to provide a gripping gesture. The Release button loosens the wires,
allowing the hand to return to its original neutral position. The wire is highly
elastic, which helps maintain wire integrity despite repetitive winding and
loosening.

NeoMano
[https://shop.neofect.com/products/neomano?variant=32502766927953?utm_source=Blog_Post&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=Post-how-to-regain-hand-function&utm_term=20211014&utm_content=Neomano] 
can assist people with everyday tasks such as feeding, writing, exercising, and
daily grooming tasks. People have even rediscovered old hobbies with the use of
NeoMano, like golfing and photography! 



To find out more about the Neofect Hand Orthosis please visit Neofect Shop
[https://shop.neofect.com?utm_source=Blog_Post&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=Post-how-to-regain-hand-function&utm_term=20211014&utm_content=Neofect-shop] 
or email us at contactus@neofect.com.