Hybrid Transradial Prosthesis For A Complete Brachial Plexus Injury: A Case Study

The gentleman in this case study presents with the typical etiology of a brachial plexus injury, status post motorcycle accident. The accident occurred several years ago with surgical intervention including a shoulder allograft and arthrodesis as well as a transradial amputation. Because of the presence of a complete brachial plexus injury it is difficult to decipher the rationale behind a transradial amputation. Many of us have fit individuals who had suffered these type of injuries and have opted for transhumeral amputations. Difficulty arises from attempting to accommodate the non-functional articulation, namely the elbowjoint. Past prosthetic fittings have been with a conventional, elbow disarticulation style prosthesis with external locking hinges and voluntary opening terminal device. Due to the limited excursion of this gentleman and his wear on the contralateral shoulder for these many years, it was time to consider a different prosthetic design The design consideration was to utilize some of the components that he presently functions with and to add electronic components which require limited excursion and strength in order to operate.