Document Type : Original Articles

Author

• Mohammad Taghi Karimi

PhD. In Bioengineering, Rehabilitation Faculty of Isfahan university of Medical Sciences. Isfahan, Iran.

Abstract

AbstractUpper limb amputees have a lot of problems in undertaking daily activities. In order to increase the performance of the upper limb amputees various kinds of prostheses have been developed which can be divided into mechanical and cosmesis ones depends upon their motion mechanism employed. The abilities of the clients to use their prostheses are not as good as expected. So the main aim of this research project was to find the amounts of ability of the subjects to use their prosthesis during undertaking daily activities. Moreover, it was planned to find the influence of type of prosthesis, side of amputation and level of amputation on the ability of the subjects to use their prostheses. Method: 76 patients with upper limb amputations were recruited in this research project. Some parameters such as the ability of the subjects to use the prostheses, age of participants, side and level of amputation were selected for final analysis. Results: the results of this research project showed that although most of the patients received mechanical prostheses, they use their artificial limbs only as a supportive lever. However their abilities to use their prostheses while driving or doing personal hygiene was more than that of other activities. There was no difference between the performance of the subjects with mechanical and cosmesis prostheses in this research project. Conclusion: amongst various parameters which influence the performance of the upper limb prostheses, the influence of training is more important. It is recommended to manufacture the upper limb prostheses from new materials and by use of the new methods.