INTENDED PURPOSE AND USE: Increased independence and safety with self-feeding. There are a variety of built up handle utensils on the market. Handles come in various sizes and textures to facilitate improved grasp.

BODY FUNCTIONS AND STRUCTURES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL USE OF BUILT UP HANDLE UTENSILS:

·       At least one intact upper extremity (UE)/hand

·       Sufficient range of motion (ROM) and strength in the intact hand to grasp device

·       Sufficient active range of motion (ROM) in the intact UE to bring hand to mouth

·       Ability to motor plan

DEFICITS BUILT UP HANDLE UTENSILS COMPENSATE FOR:

·       Decreased range of motion (ROM) in the fingers/hand making it difficult or unable to grasp regular sized utensils

·       Joint pain in the fingers/hand making it difficult to fully grasp and/or maintain grasp on regular sized utensils

·       Decreased sensation in the fingers/hands making it difficult to grasp/maintain grasp on regular sized utensils

·       Joint changes in the fingers/hands making it difficult to grasp/maintain grasp on regular sized utensils

DIAGNOSES BUILT UP HANDLE UTENSILS ARE COMMONLY USED FOR:

·       Osteoarthritis

·       Rheumatoid Arthritis

·       Gouty Arthritis

·       Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)/Stroke

·       Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

·       Cerebral Palsy (CP)

·       Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

·       Parkinson’s Disease

·       Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) – Complete or Incomplete

·       Muscular Dystrophy

·       Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)/Lou Gehrig’s Disease

·       Guillain-Barre’