1.
MEDICAL INFORMATION
“It is easier to achieve the intended aim after getting acquainted with the subject-matter of the undertaking – it
enables to predict possible consequences adequately and unifies the language of communication between the partners of
the dialogue reducing unnecessary, unpleasant experiences”.
1.1
Introduction, Key Words, Kinesitherapy
Paraplegia and paraparesis can be of traumatic or pathologic origin and it most frequently occurs in the following
diseases:
•
poliomyelitis anterior acuta (Heine–Medin disease, polio),
•
spina bifida,
•
syringomyelia
•
paraplegia spondylica,
•
paraplegia scoliotica,
•
paraplegia neoplasmatica
•
Duchenne’s dystrophy and others.
Application of the Dynamic Parapodium in rehabilitation is associated with the assumption that movement
(kinesitherapy) is a therapeutic method, providing a stimulus acting specifically on the organism which
considerably improves the patient’s quality of life.
“The motor process of learning to move (kinesitherapy) is a purposeful, dosed, methodicaly planned application of motor
patterns in order to maintain, support and restore the efficiency of the locomotor and nervous system, circulation, respiration
and metabolism.”
(Conradi E., Brenke R., Bewegungstherapie-Grundlagen, Ergebnisse, Trends.
Ullstein – Mosby, Berlin,
1993)
Parapodium
–
a kind of orthosis (a technical construction used for the purpose of control of movements, providing aid to, or
total or partial reduction of load on the selected elements of the supportive and locomotor system of the body) stabilising,
equipped with the base of large surface area, used for subject with lower extremity and trunk paralysis, allowing to assume
upright position without additional support on crutches and sitting up.
Dynamic Parapodium
= parapodium
–
orthosis system making active rehabilitation and movement (gait) possible.
Paraparesis
(Latin paresis;) paresis affecting the lower extremities.
Paraplegia
- (Latin paralysis s. Plegia;) palsy affecting the lower
extremities.
Flaccid paralysis
–
damage of the peripheral motoneuron.
Spastic paralysis
–
damage of the central (interior) motoneuron.
Paresis
- (Latin paresis)
–
reduced mobility or power of movement.
Paralysis, plegia
- (Latin paralysis)
–
complete lack of movement.
1.2
Disturbances Of Function Of Internal Organs In Disabled Subjects Due To Chronic
Sitting Position And/Or Bed Ridding
Considerable limitation of physical activity due to chronic supine or/and sitting position leads to the development of
interconnected pathological consequences, such as:
•
Degenerative changes in the cardiovascular system,
•
Orthostatic hypotensive syndrome,
•
Venous stasis, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism,
•
Increased risk of coronary disease (lower serum level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol – HDL-C),
•
Increase of body weight due to lowered basal metabolic rate and reduced daily energy
expenditure connected with the lack of physical activity, gas exchange abnormalities,
•
Increased risk of atelestasis,
•
pneumonia,
•
reduced maximum oxygen consumption, which is an indicator of the general patient’s condition,
•
hyperkalcemia,
•
osteoporosis,
•
glucose intolerance,
•
miction (excretion of urine) and defecation (bowel movement) disturbances,
•
increasing difficulty in everyday activities,
•
upper extremity overload syndromes,
•
muscular atrophy accompanied by contractures involving multiple joints,
•
pathological long bone fractures,
•
reduced ability to function independently,
•
skin integrity disturbances,
•
damage to peripheral nerves,
3
