muscle/nerve transfer or amputation
muscle/nerve transfer or amputation
We're having a very difficult deciding what the right choice is. My husband is only able to shrug his shoulder and his deltoids work. It seems like the surgery offers so little. But, would he be able to use a prosthesis w/o shoulder movement? Drs. at Mayo told us he wouldn't. Anyone know?
Re: muscle/nerve transfer or amputation
It depends very much on what type of prothesis. There are myoelectric ones available (at quite a high cost) that will work usually if even only one muscle in the upper arm is working. As far as I know, most of the therapists who fit these things prefer just a lower arm amputation with good elbow movement (and possibly more..)for this type of prosthesis. However, I have found this site which advertises prosthesis for up to the shoulder amputees. http://www.animatedprosthetics.com/frames.htm
Both these types work from tiny movements of a muscle operating a switch which in turn will open and close the gripping motion of the false hand.
The 'normal' one with a lockable elbow is useful for the cosmetic look of it, although with the lockable elbow, it can be used in other ways. We have a member of our group who uses his to go shooting. He uses it to support the gun. You can se pics of him on the TBPI Group website http://tbpiukgroup.homestead.com/yetishooting.html
It's hard to tell at first which is the amputated arm..he makes it look that easy!
Liz B
Both these types work from tiny movements of a muscle operating a switch which in turn will open and close the gripping motion of the false hand.
The 'normal' one with a lockable elbow is useful for the cosmetic look of it, although with the lockable elbow, it can be used in other ways. We have a member of our group who uses his to go shooting. He uses it to support the gun. You can se pics of him on the TBPI Group website http://tbpiukgroup.homestead.com/yetishooting.html
It's hard to tell at first which is the amputated arm..he makes it look that easy!
Liz B