PROSTHETIC FITTINGS

THE PROCESS

Six to seven months post surgery, and after the patient has control of muscle movement, a diagnostic socket and a myoelectric prosthesis will be fit and fabricated that enables intuitive and simultaneous elbow and hand function. More training occurs as the patient learns to operate multiple degrees of freedom simultaneously and to integrate the use of the prosthesis with the biological arm by performing two-handed activities. Because nerve endings are redirected and now have a purpose, some patients have found that phantom pain is quite often reduced or eliminated.

TECHNOLOGY

Our comprehensive prosthetic services combine personal care with state-of-the-art rehabilitation engineering. We are trained and certified to fit technologically-advanced upper-limb prosthetics.

DynamicArm®
The DynamicArm® from ottobock, the most advanced myoelectric prosthesis for transhumeral amputees, provides a greater range of motion, closely mimics natural arm movements, and allows for quick, exact positioning of the hand, even with heavy objects. Its microprocessor communication system results in a faster transfer of information that commands the arm to move.

Utah Arm
Since 1981, the Utah Arm from Motion Control, Inc., has been the premier myoelectric arm for above-elbow amputees, letting the wearer move the arm and hand slowly or quickly in any position. The newest Utah Arm 3 (U3) has a computer interface that allows the prosthetist or wearer to fine-tune the adjustments to achieve maximum performance.

i-LIMB™ Hand
The i-LIMB™ Hand from Touch Bionics offers the use of five individually-powered digits, which bend and move in addition to open and close. Grip options support almost all daily activities and the thumb can be rotated into different positions just as a biological thumb can. The i-LIMB Hand relies on advanced control software, which provides speed and grip-strength control to the device while patients generate signals to control it in a way that mimics how traditional myoelectric devices have operated in the past.

Michelangelo® Hand
Ottobock's Michelangelo Hand and AXON-Bus® prosthetic system offers multiple grip functions that allow users to master everyday tasks such as opening a tube of toothpaste, gripping a key, holding a credit card, picking up a bottle, and using a clothes iron. The thumb can also open up to hold a plate or bowl, and the repositionable wrist joint has been refined and offers a more natural shape and movement.

Boston Digital Arm System
This state-of-the-art prosthetic system incorporates microprocessor technology for improved performance and optimal patient adjustment. It can control up to four other prosthetic devices in addition to the elbow itself. For example, hands, grippers, wrist rotators, shoulder lock actuators, etc. can be operated through the Boston Digital Arm. The on-board microprocessor enables the prosthetist to evaluate the patient for suitable muscle sites and then try various control strategies until a suitable one is found.