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The upper-extremity amputee. Early and immediate post-surgical prosthetic fitting
The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume
|January 1, 1976
Summary
Early prosthetic fitting for upper-extremity amputees using a practice prosthesis with a Silastic foam insert led to high acceptance rates and allowed training during wound healing.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Prosthetics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Immediate and early prosthetic fitting can improve outcomes for amputees.
- Traditional fitting methods may be delayed by wound healing complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of immediate and early post-surgical prosthetic fitting in upper-extremity amputees.
- To assess the use of a practice prosthesis with a Silastic foam insert for early prosthetic training.
Main Methods:
- Review of 87 upper-extremity amputees and 9 patients with shoulder dislocation fitted with temporary devices.
- Utilized a practice prosthesis with a custom Silastic foam insert to accommodate residual limb changes.
- Initiated prosthetic training concurrently with wound healing.
Main Results:
- No local wound complications were observed.
- High rates of prosthetic acceptance were achieved.
- The Silastic insert practice prosthesis facilitated early prosthetic training.
Conclusions:
- Immediate and early prosthetic fitting is feasible and effective for upper-extremity amputees.
- The Silastic insert practice prosthesis is a valuable tool for facilitating early prosthetic training and improving patient outcomes.