STRETCH ASSISTANT

About 65%-78% of the spinal cord injury community experience some level of spasticity, which is the uncontrolled tightening or contracting of the muscles. It causes extreme discomfort, severely impacting the lives of those affected.

The most effective way to reduce spasms is to stretch the muscles regularly, however it is extremely difficult to do that without control of the legs. Thorough research into current user’s stretching routines found that there were no similar products on the market for independent stretching.

The Stretch Assistant is a portable, mechanical leg brace that helps paraplegics safely and independently stretch their legs.

The device is designed to slide on from the front of the users leg, while they are sat in their wheelchair, and is operated in the same manner for either leg. The use of a ratchet strap, pulling a short lever, connected to the lower leg frame, provides the appropriate advantage to allow the user to lift their leg, and hold it in place. The device allows for 14 various angles of extension, for users with varying flexibilities and has straps that allow the user to pull their foot towards them, and their upper body forwards, to intensify the stretch. Design details ensure safe and easy operation. The device would come in a small medium and large, each with a range of adjustability for maximum comfort.

Slide the device on to the leg