Vita TU, Occupational Therapist and Project Manager
Sunshine Social Welfare Foundation
Post-burn intrinsic tightness disrupts the delicate balance between flexor and extensor muscles in the fingers. This imbalance, affecting muscles like the intrinsic muscles, flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS), and flexor digitorum profundus (FDP), leads to deformities that compromise hand function, with the hand presenting in MP flexion and IP extension. Hook grasp training for the management of post-burn intrinsic tightness can target the excessive IP extension of fingers and is crucial for strengthening FDS and FDP muscles.
In this short video, we’ll demonstrate different practical examples of Hook Grasp training. We'll explore exercises such as pulling and pushing a sanding unit box, using an E-Z board, and carrying buckets. Each exercise addresses specific challenges associated with intrinsic tightness.
Sanding Unit Box Exercise: We'll discuss the effectiveness of attaching small handles to a sanding unit box to encourage hook grasp by the patient, as well as adding weights for resistance.
E-Z Board Training: Cylindrical objects like an E-Z board can be used with Velcro resistance for Hook Grasp training. Adjusting the diameter of objects is key to controlling hand posture and achieving the best training effect.
Bucket Carrying: Carrying buckets, with or without added weight, replicates a typical Hook Grasp movement, and is a quick, easy and inexpensive training method.
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