A Comprehensive Review of Wrist-Hand Orthoses: Biomechanics and Additive Manufacturing

Ahmet Gökhan Acar; Harun Gökçe; Serap Alsancak; İsmail Şahin

A Comprehensive Review of Wrist-Hand Orthoses: Biomechanics and Additive Manufacturing

Abstract

Upper extremity orthoses play a critical role in supporting individuals with limited limb functionality due to musculoskeletal injuries or neurological disorders. Wrist-hand orthoses (WHOs), particularly those designed with wrist-driven mechanisms, enhance hand function by leveraging the tenodesis effect—a natural movement pattern where wrist extension causes passive finger flexion. Wrist-driven orthoses (WDOs) enable users with residual wrist motion to perform functional grips, improving their independence in daily tasks. However, patients lacking active wrist movement require additional assistance such as elastic bands, shoulder motions, or external power sources to activate the mechanism. Despite their functional benefits, WDOs often present challenges in usability, including complex donning and doffing procedures, poor fit, mechanical reliability issues, and cosmetically unappealing designs, which may limit patient compliance and long-term use. The fit of the orthosis and the alignment of the finger mechanism significantly affect comfort and effectiveness. This study presents a comprehensive literature review focusing on wrist-hand orthoses that incorporate wrist mobility. It highlights current design approaches, functional outcomes, and existing limitations while emphasizing the need for efficient, user-friendly, and reliable solutions to enhance patient satisfaction and improve usage rates in clinical and everyday settings. This review explores the significance of wrist-hand orthoses, focusing on their biomechanical aspects and the advancements in additive manufacturing techniques. Key findings, research gaps, and potential future developments are highlighted to provide a comprehensive understanding of the topic.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Biomechanic

Journal Section

Review

Authors

Ahmet Gökhan Acar
0000-0003-0731-6668
Türkiye

Harun Gökçe ^*
0000-0002-2702-0111
Türkiye

Serap Alsancak
0000-0002-3987-670X
Türkiye

İsmail Şahin
Türkiye

Publication Date

August 31, 2025

Submission Date

April 29, 2025

Acceptance Date

June 4, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 11 Number: 2

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA93AY85YB

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Acar, A. G., Gökçe, H., Alsancak, S., & Şahin, İ. (2025). A Comprehensive Review of Wrist-Hand Orthoses: Biomechanics and Additive Manufacturing. Gazi Journal of Engineering Sciences, 11(2), 135-145. https://izlik.org/JA93AY85YB

AMA

1.Acar AG, Gökçe H, Alsancak S, Şahin İ. A Comprehensive Review of Wrist-Hand Orthoses: Biomechanics and Additive Manufacturing. GJES. 2025;11(2):135-145. https://izlik.org/JA93AY85YB

Chicago

Acar, Ahmet Gökhan, Harun Gökçe, Serap Alsancak, and İsmail Şahin. 2025. “A Comprehensive Review of Wrist-Hand Orthoses: Biomechanics and Additive Manufacturing”. Gazi Journal of Engineering Sciences 11 (2): 135-45. https://izlik.org/JA93AY85YB.

EndNote

Acar AG, Gökçe H, Alsancak S, Şahin İ (August 1, 2025) A Comprehensive Review of Wrist-Hand Orthoses: Biomechanics and Additive Manufacturing. Gazi Journal of Engineering Sciences 11 2 135–145.

IEEE

[1]A. G. Acar, H. Gökçe, S. Alsancak, and İ. Şahin, “A Comprehensive Review of Wrist-Hand Orthoses: Biomechanics and Additive Manufacturing”, GJES, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 135–145, Aug. 2025, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA93AY85YB

ISNAD

Acar, Ahmet Gökhan - Gökçe, Harun - Alsancak, Serap - Şahin, İsmail. “A Comprehensive Review of Wrist-Hand Orthoses: Biomechanics and Additive Manufacturing”. Gazi Journal of Engineering Sciences 11/2 (August 1, 2025): 135-145. https://izlik.org/JA93AY85YB.

JAMA

1.Acar AG, Gökçe H, Alsancak S, Şahin İ. A Comprehensive Review of Wrist-Hand Orthoses: Biomechanics and Additive Manufacturing. GJES. 2025;11:135–145.

MLA

Acar, Ahmet Gökhan, et al. “A Comprehensive Review of Wrist-Hand Orthoses: Biomechanics and Additive Manufacturing”. Gazi Journal of Engineering Sciences, vol. 11, no. 2, Aug. 2025, pp. 135-4, https://izlik.org/JA93AY85YB.

Vancouver

1.Ahmet Gökhan Acar, Harun Gökçe, Serap Alsancak, İsmail Şahin. A Comprehensive Review of Wrist-Hand Orthoses: Biomechanics and Additive Manufacturing. GJES [Internet]. 2025 Aug. 1;11(2):135-4. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA93AY85YB