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Published on: October 27, 2023
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Custom-made silicone hand prosthesis: A case study
S Nayak1, P K Lenka1, A Equebal1
1National Institute for the Orthopaedically Handicapped, Under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, B-T Road, Bon Hooghly, 700090 Kolkata, India.
Hand Surgery & Rehabilitation
|October 27, 2016
Summary
A custom silicone hand prosthesis with flexible wires improved appearance and provided passive finger movement for a patient with transmetacarpal amputation. This approach reduced pain and enhanced daily activities, offering a functional option beyond cosmetic gloves.
Area of Science:
- Reconstructive surgery
- Prosthetics and orthotics
- Hand surgery
Background:
- Traditional cosmetic gloves offer limited function for transmetacarpal (TMC) and carpometacarpal (CMC) amputations.
- Challenges in prosthetic fitting at this level include short stump length, poor aesthetics, and lack of functional options.
Observation:
- A 30-year-old male presented with a complex hand amputation (1st-4th CMC level, 5th metacarpal fused) and stump issues including grafted skin and pain.
- The patient's stump exhibited redness and an unhealed suture line, causing discomfort.
Findings:
- A custom silicone hand prosthesis was fabricated, incorporating flexible wires for passive interphalangeal movement.
- The prosthesis successfully restored appearance, provided passive function, reduced pain (VAS score), and improved daily living (DASH, Jebsen-Taylor tests).
Implications:
- Custom silicone prostheses offer a viable solution for proximal hand amputations, addressing functional and aesthetic deficits.
- This case demonstrates a simple method for achieving passively movable fingers, enhancing patient outcomes and quality of life.
