Long-term outcomes of osseointegrated digital prostheses for proximal amputations

Abstract

This paper presents outcomes after 13, 4, and 3½ years in three digital amputees treated with osseointegrated prostheses. One had prosthetic replacement of the index and middle fingers at the PIP level. The second had four fingers replaced at the PIP level, but only three prostheses were retained. The third had a thumb replacement at the MCP level. All patients scored their reconstructed hand highly in terms of appearance and frequency of use. The first and third patients rated the function of the reconstructed hand as similar to the normal hand, and this was confirmed by the Jebsen Test, but the second patient had poor function. All patients could detect pressure and vibration through their prostheses, although grip and pinch strengths were weaker in all three. All three also experienced some pain in the implanted fingers. This study identifies osseointegration as a stable long-term reconstructive option.