Osseointegrated silicone finger prosthesis using dental implants: a renovated technique

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Microsurgery
• Prosthetics

Background:

• Finger amputations or defects necessitate prosthetic solutions when microsurgical options are unfeasible.
• Current prostheses, often silicone-based, can impede fine motor functions like writing and typing.
• Existing designs require improvement for optimal functional and psychological patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the design of implant-supported finger prostheses.
• To improve the functional performance and patient satisfaction with prosthetic finger replacements.

Main Methods:

• Modification of an implant-supported silicone finger prosthesis for the distal phalange of the middle finger.
• Incorporation of a metal framework to enhance the rigidity of the silicone material.

Main Results:

• The modified prosthesis demonstrated improved functional performance.
• Enhanced esthetics and tactile sensibility were achieved with the new design.
• Patients reported increased satisfaction and improved self-esteem.

Conclusions:

• The modified implant-supported finger prosthesis offers a viable solution for functional restoration.
• This design can significantly improve patient performance in daily activities.
• Enhanced prostheses lead to greater patient satisfaction and psychological well-being.