Survey on outcome of trial of upper-limb prostheses for children with congenital upper-limb malformation at the National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities

Abstract

We report the rehabilitation consequences of 27 children with congenital upper-limb malformation, who underwent training for upper limb prostheses use at the National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities from January 2010 to September 2022. The mean number of prosthetic hand types used in the trial was 2.3. The median duration of training was 2 years and 9 months. Eighteen children were provided with upper-limb prostheses through the public provision system. Nine children did not need prostheses. Most of them used upper-limb prostheses with passive hands as first prostheses, and then shifted to use myoelectric prostheses. In addition, they chose the prostheses for sports as the third. Lower age at the start of trial, unilateral trans-radial deficiency and clear purpose of use are key factors for provision through the public provision system.