Verticalisation in the rehabilitation process of patients with central nervous system focal lesion symptoms – new equipment opportunities

Abstract

Symptoms of central nervous system focal lesion, such as paraparesis or paraplegia, disequilibrium and functional disorders, result in limitation of self-dependent locomotion in patients. One of key targets in rehabilitation is a step-by-step verticalisation that should be carried out as soon as the patient's condi-tion permits and continued in a way realising his/her specific needs. Verticalisation, depending on the patient's abilities, can be carried out directly by a team of therapists (even with seriously injured patients) or with use of rehabilitation equipment such as beds with adjustable inclination angle (tilt beds), verticali-sation tables (tilt tables), verticalisators and orthopaedic aids. Purpose: Presentation of possibilities concerning provision of orthopaedic aids in the form of medical equipment available on the market and designed for verticalisation and learning the patients to step. Passive verticalisation, especially in the early rehabilitation period and in patients with significant motor deficits, is carried out using static verticalisation aids such as verticalisation beds and tables. After some adaptation of cardiovascular system and longer periods of staying in vertical position are reached, further rehabilitation can be carried out with use of verticalisators. Their design, similarly as this of verti-calising beds and tables, is diversified and individualised. Verticalisators can be classified in two groups: dynamic (active) and static (passive). An example of static verticalisator is the paraverticalisator, de-signed for verticalisation of patients with paresis or palsy of lower limbs and trunk. The other group are dynamic verticalisators. The idea behind their design resulted from necessity to enable the patients to step with retained function of upper limbs muscles. Use of the above-described equipment accelerates significantly the process of the patient returning to optimal efficiency. Possibility to use up-to-date orthopaedic equipment represents a significant assistance in rehabilitation, although it will not substitute individual and well-coordinated work of a team taking care of the patient that still remains crucial for the ultimate success of rehabilitation.