The AnyHand in action
We recently had the opportunity to interview Jürgen Mack, a physiotherapist from Ulm . A few weeks earlier, he and his practice team were able to take a close look at AnyHand during a test session . However, the interview is not only about our hand therapy robot, but also about the motivation to treat hands and why one should not miss innovations.
How did the AnyHand test go in your practice?
The patient response was very good, as was the implementation of the therapies. In the beginning, we had to be particularly careful how we positioned the wrist in case of tendon injuries. We had to try out a bit so that there was no tension on the tendon. But in terms of functionality and acceptance, it worked very well. It is a very good addition to the daily therapy routine, through which the patients can gain even more function.
How did you find out about LIME in the first place?
I heard Pascal on SWR1! I then found out his contact details via SWR and wrote to him. It was a great contact right from the start. From time to time, Pascal travelled here to Ulm so that we could accompany the further development. It was a very exciting and interesting process and Pascal was always open to things that we noticed and could be developed further. The first meeting took place at the beginning of the development - we have known each other for almost four years . Since then, it has been a constant accompanying process.
You don't find many specialised hand therapists among physiotherapists. Why did you choose this?
The beauty of hand treatments is that the goal is clearly defined: it is always about achieving function in a way that suits everyone and as quickly as possible, regardless of whether someone is young or old, or what their employment status is. With the hand, it is also possible to evaluate much more and there is a clear pattern of findings. The patients' motivation is usually very high, especially when it comes to reintegration into everyday work.
Normally, the patient does not have a daily therapy session in the practice. How does the independent training at home work?
At home, people usually do enough and the cooperation is usually excellent. And if they don't, I just seek clarification. The most important thing is the precise instruction of the exercises. This can also be transferred to AnyHand: the joint familiarisation is crucial.
What do you think about using the AnyHand at home to bridge the time between sessions in practice?
Absolutely! Again, as an additional supplement. That would be the next step, once patient acceptance and functionality have been tested in the longer term. In the case of tendon injuries and other more serious injuries such as fractures, the patients must be very well instructed, although I don't see this as a problem. Today, this can be communicated well via the app and the course of therapy can be followed via monitoring or tele-consultations via webcam.
Do you think that the technical means for home use could lead to difficulties for older generations who are less tech-savvy?
I think people underestimate older patients! If you instruct them well and you explain really well what they have to do at home, it works. Things are so user-friendly nowadays. A lot of 70- or 80-year-olds are on their smartphones nowadays. So it might not work for all people, but you definitely always have to offer it. It would not be good to exclude older people across the board. The application must not be too complicated and the instructions must be clear.
The therapists also have to learn how to use AnyHand. What motivates you to try out innovations?
I have been following this for 4 years, so here is my thought: absolutely! One must not close oneself off to these things. And especially when you realise that "it's useful", it would be nonsensical to oppose it. It can be used well therapeutically, so that the patient benefits from it.
There is even a trial planned with the AnyHand, right?
Exactly. We work a lot with the hand surgery department at Ulm University Hospital. And two years ago, when I was there for an internship, I drew attention to LIME's product. Pascal then got in touch and Prof. Dr. Mentzel and senior physician Bauknecht got directly involved. Dr. Bauknecht also immediately suggested a study that should start in November or December. A doctoral student will accompany the study in our practice.
That means the study takes place directly at your practice?
Yes, it's super exciting, it's ideal! We are happy that it is taking place because we work in a field that cannot do without the scientific background. You simply have to have proof that the AnyHand can be used in a target-oriented way. For example, it has been proven that there is less tendon adhesion or that patients can return to work more quickly.
Sometimes we are confronted with the idea that we could replace the human therapist with a robot. Where do you stand on this?
Of course, I wouldn't say that at all. The patient benefits from it because he gets more movement therapy and can thus avoid adhesions. We know this from movement splints for knees and shoulders. It also supports our therapy success if you work with the AnyHand afterwards and before. I see it more as a benefit than a replacement. This device has the absolute justification to be used, I stand behind it 100%.
I'm happy that there are young companies like LIME that push things like this forward and that we can work together so well. And it is a product that has a clear effect. That's why it would be nonsense to say that it ruins the therapy. On the contrary, it brings us further .
© Physiotherapy Mack
The person
At the beginning of his career, Jürgen Mack completed a massage and physiotherapy training and worked for years in sports coaching, appropriately enough in handball. In further training courses, he got to know hand therapy and developed his field of interest from this. Finally, he passed his examination as a hand therapist and opened his practice in 2011, which was awarded the status of a focal practice by the German Working Group for Hand Therapy(DAHTH ). Every year, he and his team perform up to 7000 hand treatments.