Management of the upper-limb-deficient child with a powered prosthetic device

A long-term survey of a large number of children fitted with an electrically powered upper-limb prosthesis seems not to have been reported in the literature. Children with upper-limb deficiencies (congenital or traumatic) were fitted with an electrically powered upper-limb prosthesis in Ontario during the 18-year period of 1965-1983. Seventy-eight patients responded to a questionnaire or were interviewed by telephone. The dropout rate in children with a below-elbow amputation was similar to that reported in below-elbow child amputees wearing a conventional body-powered prosthesis (10% vs. 13%). The acceptance rate in children with above-elbow amputations was higher in those wearing an electrically powered prosthesis than in those using the conventional prosthesis, testifying for improved prosthetic function in the former group.