Alternatives for a Child with Amputated Hands

This content is from page 230 of Disabled Village Children


simple tool and utensil holders made of cloth, leather, or plastic	cuff with changeable tips


hooks that open and close to grip (operated by movements of shoulders and back)	surgery that turns the 2 bones of the forearm into pinchers	rubber or wood hand, not for use but for looks	instead of hooks, an artificial hand with a thumb that opens and closes against 2 fingers (expensive and may not last)

This is a grasping aid for a child whose fingers have been lost but the base of the hand and wrist joint remain.

Child presses stump against post.

metal bar

rubber tube around post

The type of aid a child and her parents choose for an amputation will depend on several things, such as availability, cost, usefulness, looks, and local cultural factors. For help in choosing an appropriate aid, see Chapter 56, “Making Sure Aids and Procedures Do More Good Than Harm,” especially "What Is More Important—Appearance or Function?"

This page was updated:04 Apr 2024

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