Functional improvement with digital prosthesis use after multiple digit amputations. J Hand Surg Am 2005 Jul;30(4):790-4
Date
07/26/2005Pubmed ID
16039373DOI
10.1016/j.jhsa.2005.02.012Scopus ID
2-s2.0-22544440853 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 17 CitationsAbstract
PURPOSE: Patients who sustain traumatic amputation of multiple fingers suffer both a functional and psychologic loss. Previous studies of prosthesis use for finger amputees have focused primarily on the psychologic benefits. Clinically our group noticed a functional improvement on hand function tests when patients with multiple digit amputations used a prosthesis. Given the expense of multiple finger prostheses we sought to determine if they led to a consistent functional improvement in these patients.
METHODS: Ten consecutive patients performed a battery of hand function tests and rated their ability to perform a variety of activities of daily living both with and without their prosthesis using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire.
RESULTS: Our results show a significant improvement in 3-finger-pinch strength and grip strength and a trend of improvement of tip-pinch, lateral-pinch, and grip strength in dynamometer positions 1, 2, 3, and 4 in these patients when tested with and without their prostheses. Function in activities of daily living, as assessed by the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire, was improved globally with prosthesis use. In addition, significant improvement was noted in several specific activities including opening a jar, writing, and turning a key, among others.
CONCLUSIONS: These results show that prosthesis use provides a functional benefit to these patients in multiple activities.
Author List
Lifchez SD, Marchant-Hanson J, Matloub HS, Sanger JR, Dzwierzynski WW, Nguyen HHAuthors
William W. Dzwierzynski MD Professor in the Plastic Surgery department at Medical College of WisconsinHani S. Matloub MD Professor in the Plastic Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
James R. Sanger MD Professor in the Plastic Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Activities of Daily LivingAdult
Amputation, Traumatic
Female
Finger Injuries
Hand Strength
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Motor Skills
Patient Satisfaction
Prosthesis Implantation
Surveys and Questionnaires
