Cyril Mauffrey and David J. Hak (eds.)Passport for the Orthopedic Boards and FRCS Examination10.1007/978-2-8178-0475-0_44

Amputation and Prosthetics of the Upper Extremity

Katherine Payne¹ and Jessica Pruente¹

(1)

University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA

Katherine Payne

1 Amputation: Upper Extremity

Take-Home Message

Transradial amputation allows for the highest level of functional recovery with long limb length ideal for body-powered prostheses and medium limb length ideal for externally powered prostheses.
Voluntary opening is the most common terminal device control mechanism.
Early prosthetic fitting is essential to promote acceptance of upper extremity prosthesis.

Definition

Major amputation: any amputation performed above the level of the wrist

Etiology/Epidemiology

Approximately 10,000 upper limb amputations annually in the United States
- Trauma – 77 % of acquired upper limb amputations
- Tumor
- Congenital
- Other (infection, burn, cardiovascular disease)
60 % of upper limb amputations occur in persons between ages 21 and 64 years old.
Most common major upper limb amputation is the transradial level (57 %).
Only 8 % of upper limb amputations are proximal to the finger.