partial hand prostheses
-
Hand amputations (full or partial hand) are most often caused as a result of trauma to the hand; it is rarely as a result of disease. This is often industrial or work related injuries, but can also be as a result of recreational activities or hobbies, such as shooting or perhaps woodwork where dangerous machinery is used.
Partial hand amputations can vary significantly and are not described or classified according to the level of amputation.The images below demonstrates how vastly different partial hand amputations can be, with combinations of fingers and parts of the palm missing.
-
Complete amputation of multiple fingers – at the base of the hand.
-
All fingers and large part of the hand amputated – only the thumb remaining.
-
Complete amputation of the ring and middle fingers, as well as the outside border of the hand.
-
Complete amputation of the entire hand – only part of the thumb remaining.
-
Complete amputation of all fingers – only the outside half of the hand remaining.
-
Complete amputation of the index, middle and ring fingers. Damage to the thumb and little finger evident.
Partial hand prostheses are made from silicone, with the finger nails generally made from different colour combinations of acrylic or also silicone. The prosthetic silicone hand is suspended (attached to the remaining hand) by means of mechanical suspension. The silicone partial hand fits over the remaining hand like a custom made glove.
Any remaining fingers (if applicable) fit through an opening in the partial hand to allow them to be free to allow function and grip. A special lubricant cream is used to help slide the partial hand silicone prosthesis onto the remaining hand.
-
The partial hand silicone prosthesis – not the hole left for the remaining thumb to exit the prosthesis to allow function.
-
The partial hand silicone prosthesis being put on – a special lubricant on the skin allows the silicone to glide over the remaining hand.
-
The partial hand silicone prosthesis in place on the remaining hand – object can be gripped between the thumb hand the silicone fingers.
Although the partial hand silicone prosthesis is intended for mainly cosmetic restoration of the hand, it can be of functional use, especially when the thumb is remaining. Objects can be gripped between the thumb and the partial hand prosthesis fingers. These fingers have an internal wire support structure to give them stability and can also allo the fingers to be manipulated (bent or straigthened) slightly.
Objects can also be "hooked" onto the fingers of the partial hand or wedged in-between the fingers.
-
Thumb can be used to grip objects between the thumb and prosthesis fingers.
-
-
Hand with no thumb remaining – objects can be hooked onto the prosthesis fingers.
-
-
Hand with thumb – can use both a pinch grip or hook objects onto prosthesis fingers.
-