International Orthopaedics

, Volume 33, Issue 4, pp 1101–1105 | Cite as

Myoelectric hand prostheses in very young children

Original Paper
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

Myoelectric prostheses have generally been provided for adolescent or adult patients. The availability of smaller-sized electric hands has enabled the introduction of myoelectric prostheses to preschool children, mainly in the Scandinavian countries. This study evaluates the acceptance of myoelectric prostheses in 41 children with unilateral upper limb deficiency between the ages of two and five years. The prosthesis was used for an average time of 5.8 hours per day. The level of amputation was found to influence the acceptance rate. Furthermore, prosthetic use training by an occupational therapist is related to successful use of the prosthesis. The general drop-out rate in preschool children is very low compared to adults. Therefore, infants can profit from myoelectric hand prostheses. Since a correct indication and an intense training program significantly influence the acceptance rate, introduction of myoelectric prostheses to preschool children should take place at specialised centres with an interdisciplinary team.

Keywords

Preschool Child Prosthetic Device Passive Device Prosthetic Hand Artificial Limb 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

Résumé

Les prothèses myoélectriques sont généralement prévues pour les adolescents ou les adultes. La mise à disposition de matériel de petite taille à permis l’utilisation de prothèses myoélectriques chez des enfants en age pré-scolaire. Cette étude évalue l’acceptation de telles prothèses chez 41 enfants de 2 à 5 ans avec un déficit unilatéral du membre supérieur. La prithèse était utilisée en moyenne 5,8 H par jour. Le niveau d’amputation influence le taux d’acceptation. De plus un apprentissage par un ergothérapeute est en relation avec le succés de l’utilisation de la prothèse. Le taux de rejet chez ces jeunes enfants est trés faible comparativement à ce qu’il est chez l’adulte. Sous réserve d’une correcte indication et d’un programme intense d’apprentissage les prothèses myoélectriques ont une place chez les enfants d’age pré-scolaire.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

References

  1. 1.
    Crandall RC, Tomhave W (2002) Pediatric unilateral below-elbow amputees: retrospective analysis of 34 patients given multiple prosthetic options. J Pediatr Orthop 22:380–383PubMedCrossRefGoogle Scholar
  2. 2.
    Datta D, Ibbotson V (1998) Powered prosthetic hands in very young children. Prosthet Orthot Int 22:150–154PubMedGoogle Scholar
  3. 3.
    Gaine WJ, Smart C, Bransby-Zachary M (1997) Upper limb traumatic amputees. Review of prosthetic use. J Hand Surg [Br] 22:73–76Google Scholar
  4. 4.
    Glynn MK, Galway HR, Hunter G, Sauter WF (1986) Management of the upper-limb-deficient child with a powered prosthetic device. Clin Orthop:202–205Google Scholar
  5. 5.
    Heger H, Millstein S, Hunter GA (1985) Electrically powered prostheses for the adult with an upper limb amputation. J Bone Joint Surg Br 67:278–281PubMedGoogle Scholar
  6. 6.
    Hermansson LM (1991) Structured training of children fitted with myoelectric prostheses. Prosthet Orthot Int 15:88–92PubMedGoogle Scholar
  7. 7.
    Hubbard S, Galway HR, Milner M (1985) Myoelectric training methods for the preschool child with congenital below-elbow amputation. A comparison of two training programmes. J Bone Joint Surg Br 67:273–277PubMedGoogle Scholar
  8. 8.
    Kritter AE (1985) Myoelectric prostheses. J Bone Joint Surg Am 67:654–657PubMedGoogle Scholar
  9. 9.
    Kruger LM, Fishman S (1993) Myoelectric and body-powered prostheses. J Pediatr Orthop 13:68–75PubMedGoogle Scholar
  10. 10.
    Mendez MA (1985) Evaluation of a myoelectric hand prosthesis for children with a below-elbow absence. Prosthet Orthot Int 9:137–140PubMedGoogle Scholar
  11. 11.
    Nader M (1990) The artificial substitution of missing hands with myoelectrical prostheses. Clin Orthop:9–17Google Scholar
  12. 12.
    Roeschlein RA, Domholdt E (1989) Factors related to successful upper extremity prosthetic use. Prosthet Orthot Int 13:14–18PubMedGoogle Scholar
  13. 13.
    Silcox DH III, Rooks MD, Vogel RR, Fleming LL (1993) Myoelectric prostheses. A long-term follow-up and a study of the use of alternate prostheses. J Bone Joint Surg Am 75:1781–1789PubMedGoogle Scholar
  14. 14.
    Sorbye R (1980) Myoelectric prosthetic fitting in young children. Clin Orthop:34–40Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2008

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Stiftung Orthopädische Universitätsklinik HeidelbergHeidelbergGermany

Personalised recommendations