Abstract
Aims: The conventional arm prosthesis used by transhumeral (TH) amputees has shoulder harness with straps around the contralateral shoulder. Thus, the arm prosthesis has a limited range of motion and stability. Patient complaints of pain from the neck and the contralateral shoulder are common. We surgically modiþed the TH amputation stump by use of a cemented T-Endo-Prostesis (TEP). We studied the functional results after employing a new TH arm prosthesis without shoulder harness and straps around the contralateral shoulder. Methods: 3 TH amputees were operated with implantation of a TEP (Fig 1). Standard high pressure cementing technique was used. Results: Patient I (12 mnd postop): The patient used a new TH arm prosthesis (Fig 2 and 3). The prosthesisñ main grip was around the new ÒcondylesÒ. No shoulder harness or straps were needed. The shoulder abduction with prosthesis had increased from 90û to 150û. The maximum rotational force with 90û elbow ßexion had increased from 9 to 30 N (in) and 8 to 20 N (out). Previous pain from the neck and the contralateral shoulder had disappeared. Patient II (6 mnd postop): The shoulder abduction with prosthesis had increased from 100û to 150û. Pain from the neck and the contralateral shoulder had disappeared. Patient III (3 mnd postop): The patient has þnished antioedema regime and has started adaptation of the new prosthesis. Conclusion: Preliminary results from this experimental clinical study indicate that when the TH amputation stump is surgical modiþed with a TEP, a new type of TH arm prosthesis gives a better functional result.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Dr. Frantz Langlais. Correspondence should be addressed to him at EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
