Exclusive live coverage from The O&P EDGE.
While microprocessor-controlled upper-limb prosthetic devices have been getting a lot of media attention over the last several years, a report given by A. W. “Wyn” Beasley, CNZM, OBE, MB ChB (NZ), FRCS (Edin), FRACS, FACS, FRCS (Eng), with the New Zealand Artificial Limb Board, Wellington Limb Centre, during the 2012 International Trade Show and World Congress, ORTHOPÄDIE + REHA-TECHNIK (O+R), stressed that body-powered mechanical hand prostheses still have their place in the O&P world. This is especially true, Beasley added, in small countries that do have modest, sparsely distributed populations and do not have a large number of upper-limb amputees.
“Alternatives have their place,” he said. “There’s no great beauty in a metal hook, and they’re not perfect, but they do have their place.” And they seemingly work well in countries such as New Zealand, populated thinly with about 4.5 million people sprinkled throughout the country, where “it is a challenge to fit people with upper-limb loss,” Beasley said.
Beasley gave his presentation during the O+R “Prosthetic Upper Limb, Upper Arm and Shoulder” symposium Wednesday afternoon, May 16.
Other topics of discussion during the symposium included “Bionic Reconstruction of the Upper Extremity,” by Austrian surgeon Oskar Aszmann, MD. Aszmann told the audience that the “center of his endeavors” has been the goal to reconstruct upper-limb loss through biologic and/or technical means. John Miguelez, CP, FAAOP, president, founder, and senior clinical director of Advanced Arm Dynamics, headquartered in Redondo Beach, California, spoke on “Improving Outcomes of the Upper Extremity.” He told the audience that professionals continue to address multifaceted clinical issues to provide an environment for better outcomes for those living with upper-limb loss.
