Introduction
Problem
Arthrogryposis is a condition where a person has two or more joint contractures in their body. It
literally means “curving of the joints”. As a result of arthrogryposis, people are unable to bend or
flex their joints that are affected. These could be wrist joints, elbow joints, shoulder joints etc.
Figure 2 shows a person’s typical symptoms with arthrogryposis ("Arthrogryposis”, Seattle
Children’s Hospital).
Figure 2: Typical symptoms of arthrogryposis
Source:
Some everyday tasks can be difficult for a person with arthrogryposis, especially if the joints
affected are vital to those activities. For example, opening doors can be difficult for someone
with affected wrists and walking can be difficult for someone with affected ankles. Our user,
Elsa, is unable to bend her elbows and wrists and uses an electronic wheelchair because she can’t
walk either. A particular task that we focused on helping her with was the ability to
independently take off and put on her school uniform shirt without the help of her mother, Mary.
Existing Solutions
Usually, people with arthrogryposis affecting arms are dependant on help from others to change
their clothes. Elsa uses the help of her mother to do this task. However, this method relies on
Mary’s availability and inconveniences her.
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