Partial Hand Prosthetics
Partial hand amputations require specialized knowledge and individualized care to help restore useful function.
​
Loss of fingers can have a significant impact on function and lead to long-term overuse injuries. For example, according to the American Medical Association, loss of a thumb and index finger can result in a 32% whole person impairment. Despite this knowledge, many people are not presented with the prosthetic options available to them, many of which are new within the last decade. Our clinical team has extensive knowledge of these options and substantial experience in fitting them. We are here to answer questions and build a meaningful, functional prosthesis that meets your needs.
Learn about the steps in the rehabilitation and prosthetic fitting process to see that you are properly fitted with an upper limb prosthesis. Understanding the care process helps you be in control.
Body Powered Prosthesis
A partial hand body powered prosthesis uses the residual finger to open and close the prosthesis, and therefore a sufficient amount of the digit must be available in order for these options to be effective. The force available to grasp objects is directly related to the forces provided at the remaining joint. The design of these types of prosthesis also provides a certain level of feedback to the user once they have made contact with an object. Both Naked Prosthetics and Partial Hand Solutions offer body powered options.
Heavy-Duty Mechanical Ratcheting Prosthesis:
Unlike silicone restoration, a passive positional prosthesis does not restore the appearance of the limb absence. However, the fingers can be adjusted to specific positions using the other limb or nearby surfaces. Most components of this style can bear loads of over 100 pounds making them ideal for heavy-duty activities and everyday life. Examples include the Point Designs fingers and GripLock fingers.
Myoelectric
A myoelectric prosthesis uses sensors to detect electrical impulses of the residual muscles in order to move the fingers. This type of prosthesis can only be used in cases of complete absence of the finger and is beneficial for light duty work.
The i-Digits from Ossur offer this functionality, and our Handspring team is trained to fit them.
Activity Specific
Activity specific prostheses are useful for completing certain hobbies or job requirements such as working out at the gym, holding landscaping equipment, or grasping a bike handle. Often, these act as supplementary to the existing digits to increase grasping strength or to provide relief to overused residual fingers. Standard or custom terminal devices typically used for amputations above the wrist can be attached to an adjustable wrist cuff and adjusted as needed. Examples of these types of prostheses can be found at TRS and Texas Assistive Devices.
Custom Solutions
With the invention of new materials and processes, we have the flexibility of building a custom solution if existing options aren’t quite sufficient. We have expanded our capabilities to 3D design and printing as well as silicone fabrication, which can be combined into thumb opposition posts, pen holders for writing, and other useful devices.
Passive Functional Prosthesis
A passive functional prosthesis is typically designed with aesthetics in mind and is used in a supportive capacity. The fingers are held in a position using friction mechanisms or wires and the prosthesis is shaped and covered to look like the other side. The fingers can be pre-positioned with use of a surface or the other side, and the arm can be used to perform activities such as supporting objects and holding paper down while writing. Handspring works closely with Livingskin and Prosthetic ArtWorks to design life-like prostheses.
No Prosthesis
While there are many effective options for prostheses, it is common to also wear no device at various points throughout the day. The residual limb can be an effective tool for supporting during bimanual activities and providing sensation. Time spent with an occupational therapist is helpful for learning all the ways to accomplish activities of daily living using your residual limb combined with adaptive and everyday equipment.
Providing personalized, expert care in upper & lower limb prosthetic rehabilitation.