Occupational therapists at Otley's Wharfedale General are hoping to put the hospital on the map after pioneering a new device for tennis elbow, writes Vivienne Francis.

Named the Wharfedale Clasp, the device, which is

fitted to the arm at its widest point, just below the elbow, gives relief to the painful condition. The thermoplastic device, held together with velcro fasteners, works by compression and alters the angle of the movement of torn

tendons.

The clasp, which is based on a design by a German doctor, took almost ten years to perfect. And the hospital says it has had a very positive response so far with patients. In trials, 84% of sufferers noticed some pain relief and increased function of their elbow.

The team believes that fitting every clasp to the specific individual is the secret to their success - the circumference of the arm is measured ,and curved pads placed directly opposite at either side of the arm. Senior Occupational Therapist, Valerie Cooke, said: "There are other clasps on the market, but they are not tailored to the individual. In my experience they do not prove as effective at healing the

condition."

The clasps are made by the staff, themselves, at the hospital. The plastic is heated and moulded and the fasteners attached. "So far we have not discussed taking the design to any manufacturers. It would be difficult to produce on a large scale because everyone is different."

Valerie has published a paper about the clasp in a medical journal and hopes the design might be taken up in hospitals nationwide.

She said: "We are very proud of having developed the device, that's why we named it the 'Wharfedale Clasp', after the hospital," she said.

l Tennis elbow is rarely caused by playing tennis. Activities such as housework or occupations such as engineering, where there is a lot of forearm action, are often to blame for the painful ailment.

Pictured are Valerie Cook and reporter Vivienne Francis who is trying out the clasp. (37-41-AM)

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