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Prosthetic management of children with limb deficiencies
D E Krebs1, J E Edelstein, M A Thornby
1Graduate Program in Physical Therapy, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA 02018-3402.
Insights
Pediatric amputations require specialized care. Advances in prosthetic technology and interdisciplinary management optimize outcomes for children needing limb prostheses.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Prosthetics and Orthotics
Background:
- Children with amputations face unique challenges in management and care.
- Significant advancements have been made in surgical techniques, prosthetic fitting, and rehabilitation protocols over recent decades.
- The complexity of prosthetic components necessitates specialized knowledge for optimal patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of clinicians being aware of current technological options for pediatric amputees.
- To emphasize the need for an interdisciplinary approach in managing children with limb differences.
- To underscore the benefits of tailored prosthetic prescription and training aligned with a child's growth.
Main Methods:
- Review of current technological advancements in lower- and upper-limb prostheses for pediatric patients.
- Discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of various prosthetic options.
- Emphasis on the role of specialized, interdisciplinary clinical settings.
Main Results:
- A wide array of small prosthetic components are available for juvenile patients.
- Specialized settings facilitate the matching of prosthetic options to individual child and family needs.
- Coordinated prosthetic prescription and training with developmental changes are crucial.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing care for children with amputations requires familiarity with advanced prosthetic technologies.
- An interdisciplinary, specialized clinical approach is essential for effective prosthetic management in pediatric patients.
- Careful prosthetic selection and training, adapted to a child's growth, maximize functional benefits.
Abstract:
Children with amputations present challenging management problems. Surgical management, prosthetic fitting options, and training regimens have progressed substantially over the past several decades. Clinicians should be familiar with the available technological options to provide children with amputations the best possible care. The plethora of small components available for lower- and upper-limb prostheses indicates the desirability of managing juvenile patients in an interdisciplinary, specialized clinical setting where the advantages and disadvantages of prosthetic options can be related to the particular needs and wishes of each young client and the client's family. Although prostheses are not anatomical avatars, careful appliance prescription and training, coordinated with the child's growth and developmental changes, can optimize the benefits the child derives from the prosthesis.