Contraindications and Limitations
The most useful rule of thumb for TheraTogs is this: if you can manually correct the postural or biomechanical problem without force, or if the client responds favorably to a full-body hug, you can expect a TheraTogs system to replace your hands and support your efforts.
CAUTION: DO NOT USE THERATOGS in the presence of the following conditions:
Tachycardia. Any restrictive clothing around the chest or torso of a patient with tachycardia or other cardia arrhythmias can potentially cause serious adverse effects.
Unresolved fracture. Bone fracture with non-union or poorly healing ‘break edges’. Even if the break is no longer casted, or if it is immobilized in an external fixation device, a dynamic orthotic like TheraTogs can cause adverse effects to the bone ends and fracture healing. The conditions listed below limit the immediate effectiveness of a TheraTogs system:
- Increasing levels of severity of involvement
- Stiff equinus deformity
- Foot deformity
- Excess body weight
- Lack of tactile or proprioceptive sensation
- Resistance to manual correction of postural alignment due to soft tissue contracture or excessive spasticity
- Rigid deformity due to advancing Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy
- Dependence on assistive devices to walk or sit
- Fixed ankle orthoses without adequate motion-promoting adaptation to the soles of the shoes
- Longstanding osseous deformity of the tibial plateau or the femur
- Arthrogrypotic joint deformity
- Skin disorders, such as eczema, may require wearing a snug underlayer, such as our Coolmax® Torso Body Sock, or Delta Terrynet™ stockinette.
In addition, TheraTogs use may be limited for patients with increasing age who exhibit hyperactive, tonic, mass muscle recruitment and related soft tissue transformation.
Note: Increasing age is not a limitation on TheraTogs use for patients with ataxia; extrapyramidal CP; muscle weakness; joint capsule or ligament hypermobility, such as is common in adults with Achondroplasia; or simple connective tissue hyperextensibility.
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