Development and clinical validation of a
simulation tool for surgical planning in hand pathologies.
Abstract:
The different pathologies of the hand
are serious social and economic problems in society today. The
functionality of the hand can be restored, at least partially,
through different surgical or therapeutic interventions. But there
is not a unique surgical solution to these problems, but medical
teams have to choose the most appropriate based on their experience,
knowledge, or results from the literature. The main objective of the
project was the development of a virtual simulation tool for
planning the treatment of pathologies of the hand. This tool is
integrated into a proper graphical environment, and was properly
validated. The tool allows teams to help physicians in making
treatment decisions for patients, reducing uncertainty and improving
health quality. The tool can be used also to investigate new
alternatives for restoration through virtual simulation, without
risk to patients, and allows the study of the causes and
consequences of diseases. The project had two associates: The
National Hansen's Disease Programs of the USA through Paul Brand
Biomechanics Lab (Baton Rouge, LA) and the Kaplan Institute at
Barcelona, which is specialized in complex diseases of the upper
extremity and it is a reference centre for the treatment of the
neurological and rheumatic hand.
