Hand rehabilitation after Sudeck’s atrophy

Sudeck’s atrophy or Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome involves a disturbance in the sympathetic nervous system. The latter is the network of nerves that controls many bodily functions. Concerning the skin, it is responsible for opening and closing blood vessels and controlling sweat glands.

The incidence of Sudeck’s syndrome in the hand is about once in 2,000 accidents of all kinds. The onset of signs and symptoms occurs some weeks after injury and the typical radiographic changes (spotty atrophy) appear six to eight weeks later.

Exercise and physiotherapy are important to tone down this disease’s awful pain. Mobility is preferred to rest to gradually increase the motion of the affected limb and preserve joint movement, otherwise, stiffness may progress.

Primary therapies that are widely used include rehabilitation and physical therapy. This is the single most important treatment for CRPS. Keeping the painful limb or body part moving improves blood flow and lessens circulatory symptoms, as well as maintains flexibility, strength, and function.

The hand, being the most frequently-affected limb, necessitates excessive physical care through extensive rehabilitation activities.

Several devices are being designed to meet this need. So far, the Robotic Rehabilitation Gloves: SIFREHAB-1.1 is one of the most recommended devices for this issue.  

The SIFREHAB-1.1 is suitable for patients with hand dysfunction caused by the Sudeck’s atrophy. It combines flexible robotic technology and neuroscience theory. It uses flexible pneumatic bionic muscles as a power source, which can promote finger flexion and extension, reduce muscle tension, promote blood circulation, relieve edema, and prevent muscle atrophy.

At the same time, the SIFREHAB-1.1 can also help users relearn through an exercise from the three levels of nerves, brain, and muscles, and rebuild brain nerves to control the hands’ movement.

The device also provides 5 key training models: Single finger training, Hand airwave massage therapy, Passive Flexion and Extension Training added to Mirror Therapy for hand function rehabilitation.

All these advanced functions are meant to promote the circulation of blood and lymphatic tissues, accelerate the return of blood tissues, clear blocked blood vessels, promote blood circulation, and activate vascular cells. The ultimate aim is to relieve sudeck’s atrophy patients from soreness.

Sudeck’s atrophy is ranked among the most painful of all medical problems and has been nicknamed the ‘suicide disease’ because there is no cure and limited effective treatments. This, however, should not hinder efforts to challenge it. Excellent Physical rehabilitation with the help of the SIFREHAB-1.1 can keep the recovery hope alive.

Reference: Sudeck’s atrophy (reflex sympathetic dystrophy, complex regional pain syndrome type 1)