Quadrimembral Amputee Improves Self-Care Independence with Hands Free Tool Changing Station: A Case Study

• Published in: Journal of hand therapy Vol. 31; no. 1; pp. 150 - 151
• Main Authors: Ng, P.W., Coulombe, M., James, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Elsevier Inc 01.01.2018; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Amputation; Case studies; Hair; Prostheses; Tool changing; Writing
• ISSN: 0894-1130; 1545-004X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jht.2017.11.016

The ability to perform self-care activities was assessed with the following conditions: without prosthesis with conventional bilateral body-powered below- elbow prosthesis with hook terminal devices with bilateral pin-suspension prosthesis (consisting of a silicone roll-on liner, APL Lock with a Bull Dog Genesis Pin, N-Abler II flexion-rotation wrist unit) and the Hands Free Tool Changing Station with corresponding tools. The Hands Free Tool Changing Station with the N-Abler II Flexion-Rotation Wrist Unit proved to be a valuable tool to increase the level of self-care independence for feeding with a fork, feeding with a spoon, cutting with a knife, shaving with a razor and brushing hair for our subject with bilateral below-elbow amputations. Table 1 Comparison of Self-Care Activities and Types of Prosthetic Use Functional Independence Measure (FIM).7 = Complete Independence (Performs 100% of task)6 = Modified Independence (Use of adaptive devices)5 = Stand By Assistance (Performs with Set Up or Supervision)4 = Minimal Assistance (Performs 75% or more of task)3 = Moderate Assistance (Performs 50%-74% of task)2 = Maximum Assistance (Performs 25%-49% of task)1 = Total Assistance (Performs less than 25% of task) Self-Care Activities Feeding with Spoon Feeding with Fork Cutting with Knife Shaving with Razor Brushing Teeth Brushing Hair Writing with Pen Types of Prosthetic Use No Prosthesis: Use of Residual Limbs 2 2 1 2 6 1 7 Bilateral Below Elbow Body-Powered Prosthesis with Hook Terminal Devices 3 3 2 3 3 2 4 Bilateral Pin Suspension Prosthesis with Hands Free Tool Changing Station 6 6 6 6 4 6 6