At what level of quadriplegia is a balanced forearm orthosis beneficial?

A balanced forearm orthosis is particularly beneficial for individuals with C5 level quadriplegia because they typically retain some active movement in their shoulders and elbows but have significant weakness in the hands and lower extremities. At this level, the capability to engage shoulder movements along with some elbow flexion can be utilized effectively with the support of a forearm orthosis, which enhances their functional reach and allows for more independence in activities of daily living.

The design of a balanced forearm orthosis facilitates the positioning of the forearms, enabling individuals to effectively use their upper limb movements to interact with objects or perform tasks that would otherwise be difficult due to their limited hand function. This increased functional capacity can lead to improvements in self-care skills and overall quality of life.

In contrast, individuals at the C4 level have very little functional upper extremity movement and would not benefit from such an orthosis. Those at C6 might begin to gain more independence due to some wrist extension, but the forearm orthosis is less crucial than it is at C5. At C7, individuals typically have even more functionality with the ability to perform more complex tasks that would require more against-gravity movements, diminishing the need for a balanced forearm orthosis specifically