We describe the development of a body-powered upper limb prosthesis fitted with a cosmetic functioning hand. The features and advantages of the new design--the PMR (Princess Margaret Rose) prosthesis--are discussed and the clinical results in 15 patients fitted with the prosthesis after above-elbow amputation are described.
This paper describes a prosthesis for patients who have had a partial amputation of the hand, or who have congenital absence of all or part of the hand. The prosthesis incorporates a new concept whereby the grip is operated by flexion and extension of the wrist. A covering for the prosthesis has been developed using a silicone polymer which produces a lifelike flexible glove. Thirteen patients have so far been fitted with this type of prosthesis, which can give good function and cosmesis.
A review of 61 patients with dislocation of the lunate (some with and some without fracture of the scaphoid) showed that the majority had satisfactory results at an average follow-up of three and a half years. Most patients with a simple dislocation had a good or satisfactory result; radiological instability was noted in a quarter of the wrists but was not often associated with symptoms. Two-thirds of the patients with an associated fracture of the scaphoid had a good or satisfactory result. Immediate percutaneous wire fixation of the reduced scaphoid, whether it is fractured or not, is the best way of maintaining normal anatomical relationship while the ligaments and fracture heal; this may further improve the prognosis. In most cases extreme dorsiflexion of the wrist appeared to be the mechanism of injury.
A review is presented of 41 patients with traumatic tetraplegia on whom reconstructive surgery of the upper limb was carried out. Twelve patients were followed up for more than 10 years after operation and the average period overall was seven and a half years. Tendon transfers were made with the aim of providing extension of the elbow or restoring a useful grasp or a combination of both. The assessment was carried out on four main aspects: the function of the elbow, the function of the hand, the ability to carry out the activities of daily living and the effect of the surgical reconstruction on the personal and social achievement of the patient.
A kindred of 15 affected individuals in five generations is described with autosomal dominant inheritance of bilateral five-fingered hand. Some of them had additional pre-axial polydactyly of the fingers or toes and some had partial or complete absence of the tibia. The range of expression of the gene is variable and genetic advice to these families must take account of the whole spectrum of defects. The function of both upper and lower limbs was improved by surgery. A distinction is drawn between the five-fingered hand shown in this family and the different deformity of a four-fingered hand with a triphalangeal thumb.
Twenty-four patients who attended the Edinburgh Limb Fitting Centre with 26 healed amputations through the middle part of the foot have been traced. The results in patients with Chopart's ablation through the midtarsal joints and in those with amputation through or near the tarsometatarsal region, were surprisingly good. Three of the patients who also had a contralateral Syme's stump reported that the shortened foot was superior in almost all respcts.
The growth of the stump has been studied in eighteen children with below-knee amputations. Measurements were available shortly after operation and later at skeletal maturity. It was found that all patients achieved less than expected growth and that the reduction was greater in those patients who had had amputation for congenital deformity.
