Patients suffering a broken forearm can now be spared the immobility of a plaster cast thanks to an innovative new healing brace.
The brace, devised by a research team at Polytechnic University, allows more flexibility in wrist movement than a traditional plaster cast.
Guo Xia, assistant professor in the university's department of rehabilitation sciences, said up to half of patients with fractures to the distal radius bone - where the forearm meets the wrist - require another six months of physiotherapy after the break heals because of the immobility imposed by plaster casts.
Many elderly patients who suffer the fracture also have osteoporosis, Dr Guo said. Because their hands are unable to move for the six weeks they are in plaster, their osteoporosis generally worsens. The brace's design allows movement in the wrist while providing sufficient support to the fractured bone, she said.
Dr Guo said 500 mainland hospitals had confirmed they would test the brace, which costs about $300, on their patients this year.
She expects even more will endorse the design. 'The brace certainly has huge potential in the mainland market.'