Prosthesis with electric elbow and hand for a three-year-old multiply handicapped child

Area of Science:

• Prosthetic Rehabilitation
• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Externally powered prosthetic components are crucial for upper extremity amputee rehabilitation, particularly for high-level amputations in children.
• Current commercially available prosthetic components are often designed for adults, posing challenges for pediatric use.
• While child-sized electric hands exist, suitable powered elbow components for young children remain limited.

Observation:

• Existing powered prosthetic elbows are too heavy and bulky for preschool-aged children (3-8 years old).
• There is a significant unmet need for lightweight, compact electric elbow prostheses for this age group.
• A single case report describes the successful modification of an existing prosthetic hand into a functional electric elbow.

Findings:

• An innovative conversion of a 6-3/4 Otto Bock hand into a small electric elbow was successfully implemented.
• This modification addresses the need for a lightweight and compact powered elbow suitable for young children.
• The proposed solution offers a potential advancement in prosthetic options for pediatric upper extremity amputees.

Implications:

• This case report highlights a potential solution for improving prosthetic fitting in young children with high-level upper extremity amputations.
• The development of lightweight, child-specific powered components can significantly enhance functional outcomes and quality of life for pediatric amputees.
• Further research and development in pediatric prosthetic technology are warranted to address existing limitations.