Typical results of Cervical Deformities

• Have feeding tubes surgically implanted and receive liquid formulas for nutrition.
• Prone to bed sores.
• Unable to have full lung expansion.
• Susceptible to constipation and impactions.
• Potential for blood clots.
• Heart must pump harder.
• Blood sugar increases with immobility.
• Bones weaken from non weight bearing status.
• Prone to dehydration.

Costs to healthcare of feeding tube for the first year:

• Feeding tube surgery - $25,000
• Ambulance transportation for surgery - $1000
• Liquid formula (per year) – $4,400

18,000 nursing homes and 1.9 million beds in USA (National Nursing Home Survey: 1999 Summary)

• May average as high as 3-5 persons or more per facility who would benefit from one of these devices,
• Today they typically remain in deformed shape,
• Remain in bed most of the time if not at all times,
• Develop multiple other physical and cognitive problems resulting from their inappropriate posture.

These devices will:

• Correct current deformities.
• Prevent the continual decline of health due to these conditions.
• Allow persons to remain more active and not require long term care.
• Reduce the spiraling costs of immobility.