Use of prosthetic prehensors

Area of Science:

• Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Engineering
• Biomechanics and Human Movement

Background:

• Upper limb amputations necessitate prosthetic prehension for functional restoration.
• Prosthetic device selection significantly impacts user outcomes and quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the types and numbers of prosthetic prehensors (hooks and hands) utilized by upper limb amputees across four developed nations.
• To identify and analyze inter-country variations in prosthetic prehensor usage.
• To underscore the importance of comprehensive amputee assessment in optimizing prosthetic prescription.

Main Methods:

• Data compilation and estimation of prosthetic prehensor utilization based on available statistics from the USA, United Kingdom, West Germany, and Sweden.
• Comparative analysis of prosthetic device prevalence across the studied countries.

Main Results:

• Quantified estimates of hook and hand prosthetic prehensor usage are presented for each country.
• Significant differences in the types and numbers of prosthetic prehensors were observed between the USA, United Kingdom, West Germany, and Sweden.
• The study identified varying trends in the adoption of different prosthetic prehensor technologies.

Conclusions:

• The findings suggest that prosthetic prehensor utilization patterns differ considerably across countries.
• Thorough pre-fitting assessment of individual amputee needs is crucial for appropriate prosthetic device selection and improved functional outcomes.
• Further research into factors influencing these international disparities in prosthetic use is warranted.