Dear Colleagues,
I am working with a young man from Europe. He’s a congenital amputee. He
is SUPER concerned with cosmesis, and refuses any functional prosthetic
options.
http://www.oandp-l.org/shared/ufxja.jpg
He has virtually no range of motion at the elbow. What you see on the
photo included, is what I have to work with. “Hand” is somewhat soft and
compressible, finger can be moved around.
It is time for his new prosthesis. I am more than opened to suggestions
on 3 items.
1. What type of suspension would you recommend? He refuses anything
above the elbow, it has to be super simple and light. Keep in mind, he
is DSHS, so any advanced suspension ideas are not quite welcome by his
insurance.
2. He is a very skinny lad. We started with OttoBock hand for him, then
tried Hosmer, both based on his sound side hand measurement, they come
too large for him _in appearance_, as compared to the sound side. I
tried female hand from OB, that came up too small now. What would be a
suggested manufacturer that has _passive hands_ slim enough for him, or
what is a good principle to downgrade the measurement to “get it right”?
3. He works on cars. Gloves get dirty very quickly, even with him being
super particular about cleaning them daily. He has to pay for
replacement gloves out of pocket. What would be suggested glove for
someone who is not of significant income, so that it lasts longer
cosmesis wise, is easier to maintain, and will match the above mentioned
hand?
Thank you for all your suggestions.
Sincerely,
Igor lesko, LPO
PacMed P&O
Tukwila, WA
