Automotive Jack Stand for Short-Arc Exercising DAVID A. NEHRING, BS
Loading a flexed knee to strengthen the quadriceps muscles can stress the knee joint by compressing the patella and can limit the amount of weight that a patient can move. To prevent this, a jack stand can be used with a progressive resistive exercise table so that loaded extension occurs only over the last 15 degrees of knee extension. This method also can be used when there are limits caused by pain or loss of range of motion. The weight arm of the table rests on the modified jack stand (Fig. 1). The patient extends his unloaded leg until it meets the weight arm and then extends the last 15 degrees against the load (Fig. 2). Using this system, my patients are able to handle more weight than by starting with the knee in flexion. If a patient cannot flex the knee as in Figure 1, I use a strap and tie the ankle to the kick arm. Finally, the system can also be modified to exercise the hamstring muscles. The jack stand should adjust from 35.6 cm to 50.8 cm (14-20 in) and can be purchased at any automo tive store for under $10. It will make any exercise table more universal. I have bolted to the top of the stand (not shown) a board 5.1 cm thick by 15.2 cm (2 x 6 in) square, so that I no longer have to be so accurate when placing the stand under the arm. Mr. Nehring is Head Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy De partment, Student Health Services, California State University— Fresno, Shaw Ave at Cedar, Fresno, CA 93740. This article was submitted April 15, 1978, and accepted December 27, 1978.
Volume 59 / Number 7, July 1979
Fig. 1. Weight arm resting on modified jack stand.
Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/ptj/article-abstract/59/7/885/4559611 by Washington University, Law School Library user on 15 February 2019
Fig. 2. Independent ambulation with crutches for patient with an upper extrem ity amputation and an ipsilateral lower ex tremity fracture.
skeletal traction bar was attached to the adjustable strut of the crutch through the circular portion of the bar by means of a washer and screw. The traction bar had two holes that were slipped over the pin on the cast in the same manner that it was attached to skeletal traction pins. This piece served to keep the crutch approximately six inches to the side of the cast and helped the patient to move the crutch at the same time he moved the cast. The patient could easily remove the bar from his cast or attach it while sitting. The patient was very satisfied with the adaptation and was able to ambulate independently with shortterm practice (Fig. 2). The adaptation would not have been possible without the help of Bernard Womack, Hospital Carpenter, as well as Ben May and Winston Wilkerson, Orthopedic Orderlies.
Fig. 2. Knee extension against resistance through the last 15 degrees of motion.
885
Loading a flexed knee to strengthen the quadriceps muscles can stress the knee joint by compressing the patella and can limit the amount of weight that a patient can move. To prevent this, a jack stand can be used with a progressive resistive exercise table so that loaded extension occurs only over the last 15 degrees of knee extension. This method also can be used when there are limits caused by pain or loss of range of motion. The weight arm of the table rests on the modified jack stand (Fig. 1). The patient extends his unloaded leg until it meets the weight arm and then extends the last 15 degrees against the load (Fig. 2). Using this system, my patients are able to handle more weight than by starting with the knee in flexion. If a patient cannot flex the knee as in Figure 1, I use a strap and tie the ankle to the kick arm. Finally, the system can also be modified to exercise the hamstring muscles. The jack stand should adjust from 35.6 cm to 50.8 cm (14-20 in) and can be purchased at any automo tive store for under $10. It will make any exercise table more universal. I have bolted to the top of the stand (not shown) a board 5.1 cm thick by 15.2 cm (2 x 6 in) square, so that I no longer have to be so accurate when placing the stand under the arm. Mr. Nehring is Head Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy De partment, Student Health Services, California State University— Fresno, Shaw Ave at Cedar, Fresno, CA 93740. This article was submitted April 15, 1978, and accepted December 27, 1978.
Volume 59 / Number 7, July 1979
Fig. 1. Weight arm resting on modified jack stand.
Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/ptj/article-abstract/59/7/885/4559611 by Washington University, Law School Library user on 15 February 2019
Fig. 2. Independent ambulation with crutches for patient with an upper extrem ity amputation and an ipsilateral lower ex tremity fracture.
skeletal traction bar was attached to the adjustable strut of the crutch through the circular portion of the bar by means of a washer and screw. The traction bar had two holes that were slipped over the pin on the cast in the same manner that it was attached to skeletal traction pins. This piece served to keep the crutch approximately six inches to the side of the cast and helped the patient to move the crutch at the same time he moved the cast. The patient could easily remove the bar from his cast or attach it while sitting. The patient was very satisfied with the adaptation and was able to ambulate independently with shortterm practice (Fig. 2). The adaptation would not have been possible without the help of Bernard Womack, Hospital Carpenter, as well as Ben May and Winston Wilkerson, Orthopedic Orderlies.
Fig. 2. Knee extension against resistance through the last 15 degrees of motion.
885
