Fitting of a Myoelectric Hand for Wrist Disarticulation

ABSTRACT

Upper limb amputations usually leave a significant functional limitation in activities of daily living for the amputees despite the use of a conventional prosthesis. New developments in prosthetic design have greatly increased the rehabilitation potential for active individuals with the upper limb amputation. The application of external power to artificial hands and elbow, and elimination of the control cables, the most unpopular feature of body-powered arms, has had a great impact on upper-limb prosthetics in the last two decades. We applied a myoelectric hand to a traumatic amputee with wrist disarticulation. As a result, it was possible to provide a considerable improvement in function and cosmesis with this new device. Further research will undoubtly improve the appearance, function and durability of the present electrically powered myoelectrical hand, making them even more acceptable and useful to the upper limb amputees.