Upper Limb Prosthetics - A Vietnamese Boy with Bilateral Transhumeral Amputation: A 10 Year Follow-Up

Jack E. Uellendahl, CPO
Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics
Phoenix Arizona
Jamee Riggio-Heelan, OTR/l
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Chicago Illinois

Providing prosthetic care for individuals in developing countries poses many challenges. Often state-of-the-art components that would be recommended for use in the United States are not suited for situations where simple and robust construction is required. It is also difficult to plan for and provide on-going modifications and replacements without the resources to allow for face-to-face visits. This presentation will follow the prosthetic services provided to a Vietnamese boy who was brought to Chicago in the mid 1990's for bilateral transhumeral prostheses at age 6 and the subsequent provision of new prostheses while he remained in Vietnam. General prescription rationale for bilateral transhumeral prostheses will be reviewed.

References:

  1. Riggio-Heelan J. "A 5 Year Relationship with a Vietnamese Boy and a Dedicated Team on the Other Side of the World," at the annual ACPOC conference, BanffSprings, Canada, April 28, 2000.

  2. Uellendahl JE. Bilateral Upper Limb Prostheses. in Smith, D et al (eds) Atlas of Amputations and Limb Deficiencies: Surgical, Prosthetic, and Rehabilitation Principles, 3rd Edition, Rosemont Illinois American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, 2004: 311- 325.

  3. Uellendahl JE, Heckathorne C. Creative Prosthetic Solutions for the Person with Bilateral Upper Extremity Amputations. in Atkins D, Meier R (eds.). Functional Restoration of Adults and Children with Upper Extremity Amputation, New York: Demos Medical Publishing, 2004: 225-237.