Trial Fitting Protocols to Optimize Rehabilitation for Transhumeral Amputee Soldiers

This lecture will discuss the experience at Brook Army Medical Center (BAMC) utilizing trial fitting protocols to optimize rehabilitation of upper limb amputee soldiers. Case presentations will illustrate and focus on the rehabilitation of transhumeral amputee soldiers using trial fitting protocols. Trial fittings were performed to evaluate the clinical appropriateness of fitting electric-powered elbow systems in comparison to cable-operated elbow systems in hybrid designs. Trial fittings were also utilized to optimize socket and harness systems. Through the trial fitting process each amputee was fit and trained with “loaner” systems for a fixed time period. A comprehensive clinical team evaluated the progress of the trials. The amputees were able to use their own experiences gained in the trial fitting process to give valuable input toward definitive prosthetic fittings. This in combination with the experiences gained by the clinical team results in an optimal prosthetic recommendation and design for each patient.