A BIONIC HAND VS. A REPLANTED HAND

Area of Science:

• Reconstructive surgery
• Prosthetics
• Rehabilitation

Background:

• Hand replantation may result in unsatisfactory functional outcomes.
• Persistent functional deficits can negatively impact quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the functional outcomes of a planned amputation and prosthetic hand fitting in a patient with compromised hand function post-replantation.
• To assess the impact on body functions, activity performance, and participation.

Main Methods:

• A case report detailing quantitative and qualitative evaluations before and after amputation and prosthetic fitting.
• Utilized patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) including DASH, COPM, NPSI, BPI, VAS, CISS, and SF-36.
• Included standardized grip function testing (SHAP) and qualitative interviews.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in PROMs for activity, pain, cold intolerance, and quality of life.
• Enhanced grip function was noted in the standardized SHAP test.
• Qualitative interviews revealed reduced pain, improved appearance, better grip, and enhanced emotional well-being.

Conclusions:

• A planned amputation followed by prosthetic fitting can be a successful solution for individuals with unsatisfactory hand function post-replantation.
• This intervention positively impacted the patient's activity, participation, and overall satisfaction.