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ROM3 for the Knee ROM3 for the Hip ROM3 for the Shoulder/Elbow Multimedia Access ROM3 Newsletters Contact Information |
  
Background Rehabilitation and surgical intervention continue to keep pace with the increasing demands individuals continue to place on their bodies. This includes interventions necessary to address a rapidly aging population in developed countries, as joint diseases account for half of all chronic conditions in the elderly. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) was first pioneered in the 1960's, and the surgeon who pioneered the procedure was honored with Knighthood by the Queen of England. The THA is considered by many as one of the most important surgical procedures developed in the 20th century due to improvement in patient suffering. National Hospital Discharge Survey notes 168,106 THA procedures in 1999, and is estimated to increase to 274,000 2030. Treatment and rehabilitation of Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteonecrosis, congenital anomalies and dysplasia with THA is a mainstay with busy Orthopedists and Physiatrists. Most scientific studies have followed patients over at least 10 years, finding success rates of >90%. There are 6755 hospitals in the United States. Most hospital stays range from 5-7 days, with others staying for inpatient rehabilitation prior to returning home. Four to six weeks of use with a walker, another 4-6 with a cane, and most patients then ambulate independently. U.S. costs of all musculoskeletal conditions are $300 billion, necessitating establishment of an internationally endorsed platform - the Bone and Joint Decade. As we continue to increase our life expectancy, in combination with epidemic proportions of Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle in the United States, the prevalence of such necessary procedures to restore function will continue to escalate. The impact of the abovementioned social dilemma on the hip, with an average of 3 months of hip precautions post-operatively (e.g. no hip flexion beyond 90O) has prompted establishment of a rehabilitation device - the ROM3 Catalyst LE. Goals include minimizing obstacles in the treatment and rehabilitation process, while improving patient compliance with necessary exercise. By rapidly affecting passive, assisted active, and active ROM (PROM, AAROM, AROM, respectively), this adaptation to cycle ergometry (stationary "bicycle") is hypothesized to accomplish the same objectives previously noted (ROM3 for the knee). The pathophysiologic basis of recovery and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal conditions has been well documented. The following facts are inherent in the healing process:
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