Early post-surgical prosthetic fitting with a pre-fabricated plastic limb

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Prosthetics and Orthotics
• Amputee Care

Background:

• Early prosthetic fitting and ambulation are crucial for amputee physical and psychosocial rehabilitation.
• Preventing postural reflex deterioration and shaping the residual limb are key goals in early recovery.
• Traditional rehabilitation pathways can be lengthy, impacting patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a novel, prefabricated plastic temporary prosthesis for below-knee amputees.
• To assess the efficacy and safety of this temporary prosthesis in facilitating early ambulation.
• To determine the impact on the timeline for definitive prosthetic fitting.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 22 below-knee amputees (average age 61) were fitted with the temporary prosthesis over a rigid plaster dressing.
• The prosthesis was applied at the second cast change, an average of 8.1 days postoperatively.
• Data collected on application ease, reusability, cost, and complications.

Main Results:

• The temporary prosthesis was applied successfully with minimal training required.
• No complications were reported in relation to the use of the plastic temporary prosthesis.
• Permanent prosthetic fitting was achieved at an average of 7.7 weeks post-amputation.

Conclusions:

• The new plastic temporary prosthesis is a safe and effective tool for the early rehabilitation of below-knee amputees.
• Its use promotes early weight-bearing and ambulation, contributing to better patient outcomes.
• The prosthesis offers advantages in terms of availability, cost-effectiveness, and ease of use.