Current rates of prosthetic usage in upper-limb amputees – have innovations had an impact on device acceptance?

Abstract

Purpose

There is a large body of evidence demonstrating high rates of prosthesis abandonment in the upper extremity. However, these surveys were conducted years ago, thus the influence of recent refinements in prosthetic technology on acceptance is unknown. This study aims to gather current data on prosthetic usage, to assess the effects of these advancements.

Materials and methods

A questionnaire was sent to 68 traumatic upper limb amputees treated within the Austrian Trauma Insurance Agency between the years 1996 and 2016. Responses were grouped by the year of amputation to assess the effect of time.

Results

The rejection rate at all levels of amputation was 44%. There was no significant difference in acceptance between responders amputated before or after 2006 (p = 0.939). Among users, 92.86% (n = 13) used a myoelectric, while only one amputee (7.14%, n = 1) used a body-powered device. Most responders complained about the comfort (60.87%, n = 14) as well as the weight of the device (52.17%, n = 12).

Conclusions

The advancements of the last decade in the arena of upper limb prosthetics have not yet achieved a significant change in prosthetic abandonment within this study cohort. Although academic solutions have been presented to tackle patient’s complaints, clinical reality still shows high rejection rates of cost-intensive prosthetic devices.

Implications for rehabilitation

• Abandonment rates in prosthetic rehabilitation after upper limb amputation have shown to be 50% and higher.

• The advancements of the last decade in the arena of upper limb prosthetics have not yet achieved a significant change in prosthetic abandonment.

• Well-structured and patient-tailored prosthetic training as well as ensuring the amputee’s active participation in the decision making process will most likely improve prosthetic acceptance.

Keywords:

• Amputation
• upper limb
• prosthesis
• prosthetic rehabilitation
• prosthesis abandonment

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program (Grant Agreement No. 810346).