DynaPro® Finger Flex WHFO

Clinical Overview & Therapeutic Principles

The DynaPro® Finger Flex is a resting hand design with a thermoplastic insert that is heat molded approximately 15 to 30 degrees “ahead” of comfortable end range stretch at the wrist (i.e., with wrist contracture of 45 degrees, the insert is heat molded to – 30 to -15° degrees). The finger pan should be heat molded to maintain the fingers in optimal extension. When applied, the flexible insert will “flex” into the wrist contracture applying a therapeutic, inhibiting stretch on the shortened tissue at the wrist and the fingers. The gentle tension applied by the correctly heat molded insert will provide abnormal reflex arc therapy to reduce abnormal tone over time as well as lengthening shortened tissue. As wrist extension is improved, the fingers will also open incrementally farther. The device should be modified by heat molding the insert every 6 to 8 weeks to continue contracture reversal (i.e., when the wrist improves from – 45 to -30, the insert must be heat molded to – 15 to neutral to continue the “flex” therapy). By increasing wearing time to three to six hours per use, the Total End Range Time (TERT) of device wear provides long effects stretch and permanent increases in joint range of motion over time. Orthotic treatment should be continued until function is restored to the affected hand.