The care of the limb deficient child in Venezuela

An overview of the situation in Venezuela is made by sampling the cases of congenital limb deficiency treated at the Hospital San Juan de Dios in Caracas from 1961-1989. The major longitudinal deficiencies are analysed. The socioeconomic situation of the patients is of most importance being the cause of final decisions in relation to surgery, the ordering of prosthesis and orthosis, supplied mainly by the Venezuelan Institute of Social Security (IVSS), the maintenance of these items and the possibility of travelling to the hospital for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. All these transform the situation from a medical problem into a socio-economic problem typical of a third world country.