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  Helping Patients Get a Better Grip with the H200


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If you are suffering from hand or arm problems due to stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or other neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, you may benefit from the NESS H200, available at Washington County Hospital’s Total Rehab Care.

The NESS H200 hand rehabilitation system from Bioness is intended for people who have problems using their hand or arm. This advanced therapy system uses mild electrical stimulation to improve the way your arm works. It has been designed to help patients drink from a glass, reach for things, and write. It can help you get the most out of therapy and even help your rehab because it trains your hand so it can work better on its own. It can also reduce complications such as muscle spasms.

There are two main parts to the H200—the orthosis and the control unit. The orthosis, which looks like a plastic splint, fits on your forearm and wrist. The control unit then delivers mild stimulation to help you move your hand. The control unit is easy to use and has a rechargeable battery for extra convenience. Your physical therapist will set up the control unit with a therapy program designed just for you. After the custom fitting you just put it on and you are set.

In clinical studies the NESS H200 has been shown to improve hand and arm function. It increases local blood circulation and maintains and increases range of motion in joints. It has also been shown to minimize pain and muscle spasms in stroke survivors. This easy-to-use equipment is lightweight and can be put on with one hand.

Is the H200 Right for Me?

Patients at Total Rehab Care are given a complete upper body evaluation to see if this can be a beneficial tool for treatment. Patients are assessed on range of motion, strength, coordination, and muscle tone to see if the device will help them become better engaged in the activities of daily living.

The NESS H200 is not for people with motor neuron disease or injury. It’s also not appropriate for people with arm dislocation or fracture or people with certain types of pacemakers.

If you are interested in learning more about the H200 or see if it’s right for you, contact your primary care physician for a referral, or call Washington County Hospital’s Total Rehab Care at 301-714-4025 for more information.

 

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Washington County Health System
251 East Antietam Street
Hagerstown, MD 21740
301-790-8000

TDD: 1-800-735-2258