Introduction
Amputation of the upper-limbs is something that greatly affects many individuals worldwide. Many amputations are the result of trauma, some the result of disease and cancer, and some are due to congenital deficiencies (conditions present at birth). There are many prosthetic options for amputees, however, fifty percent of all upper extremity amputees fit with a prosthesis choose to stop wearing it within a year and decide not to use any kind of prosthesis at all. The main reason for the discontinued use of prosthetics is often its laborious method of operation. However, in recent years upper extremity prostheses are becoming more and more developed and useful to people lacking arms and hands or having only partial arms and hands. There are many options, especially due to increasing technology, and with enough information and guidance a patient can find a prosthetic that serves both his/her functional and cosmetic needs.
There are three main types of hand/arm prostheses, each
with its own advantages and disadvantages:
1) Passive Prostheses
2) Body-Powered Prostheses
3) Externally-Powered Prostheses
To differing degrees, each type of prostheses increases function, allowing people to perform more everyday activities and lead normal lives. Each prosthesis also has the potential to improve the cosmesis (visual appearance) of the wearer and reduce self-consciousness. It is important to realize that there is sometimes a trade-off between function and cosmesis. Additionally the degree of proprioception––the capability of wearers to receive stimuli originating in muscles, tendons, and other internal tissues and to feel like a prosthesis is an extension of themselves––varies with function and cosmesis and is important when comparing prostheses.
References
1) Dailami, Jeremy. “The Myoelectric Arm: It’s Electrifying.”
2002. Illumin: A Review of Everyday Life and Engineering. 10 Apr. 2003.
<http://engrwp.usc.edu/illumin/article.print.php?articleID=6>.
2) Miguelez, John. “Increasing Upper Extremity Prosthetic Success
Rate.” 2002. Advanced Arm Dynamics. 12 Apr. 2003 <http://www/armdynamics.com/bizworld_prosthetic_success_
rates.htm>.
