Article

The osseointegration programme for upper extremity amputation started
in Sweden in 1990, when a titanium fixture was first implanted into a thumb. This method has since been used for transhumeral and below-elbow amputation. The
treatment involves two surgical procedures. During the first a titanium fixture
is surgically attached to the skeleton, and a second procedure six months later
involves a skin penetrating abutment to which the prosthesis is attached.
OBJECTIVES: To describe the osseointegration procedure for surgery, prosthetics
and rehabilitation. METHODS: Patients with short stumps and previous problems
with prosthetic fitting were selected. From 1990 to April 2010, 37 upper limb
cases were treated and fitted with prosthesis: 10 thumbs, 1 partial hand, 10
transradial and 16 transhumeral amputations. Of these, 7 patients are currently
not prosthetic users. RESULTS: Patients indicated that function and quality of
life had improved since osseointegration. CONCLUSION: Osseointegration is an
important platform for present and future prosthetic technology. The prosthetic
situation is improved due to the stable fixation, freedom of motion and functionality. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The two-stage osseointegration procedure has
the potential to change the rehabilitation strategy for selected upper limb
amputees. The method eliminates the need for a socket and the prosthesis will
always fit. The stable prosthetic fixation and increased freedom of motion
generates improved function. Specially designed components and rehabilitation procedures have been developed.

Langue : ANGLAIS