Article

Prosthetic use and satisfaction in wounded servicemembers and veterans with
unilateral upper-limb loss has not been thoroughly explored. Through a national
survey, we enrolled 47 participants from the Vietnam conflict and 50 from
Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) with
combat-associated major unilateral upper-limb loss.
Upper-limb prosthetic devices
were used by 70% of the Vietnam group and 76% of the OIF/OEF group.
Mechanical/body-powered upper-limb devices were favored by the Vietnam group,
while a combination of myoelectric/hybrid and mechanical/body-powered devices
were favored by the OIF/OEF group. Upper-limb devices were completely abandoned
in 30% of the Vietnam and 22% of the OIF/OEF groups. Abandonment was more
frequent for transhumeral and more proximal levels (42% of Vietnam and 40% of
OIF/OEF) than more distal limb-loss levels. Upper-limb prostheses were rejected
because of dissatisfaction with the device by significantly fewer (23%) members
of the Vietnam group than the OIF/OEF group (45%) (p < 0.001). Most common
reasons for rejection included pain, poor comfort, and lack of functionality. A
significant paradigm shift has been noted in the OIF/OEF group, who use a greater
number and diversity of upper-limb prostheses than the Vietnam group.

Langue : ANGLAIS