Touch Bionics: Upper-Limb Prosthetic Technologies

[snowyh]

Touch Bionics develops upper-limb prosthetic technologies that are designed to help amputees achieve their goals. They specialize in myoelectronic hand and partial hand solutions, as well as a realistic silicone prostheses that are designed to closely match the skin of the wearer.

URL: www.touchbionics.com/products

Related article: A prosthetic technology company has unveiled an ultra-realistic range of limbs with features such as freckles, hairs and even tattoos. www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2039965/Ultra-realistic-prosthetic-limbs-freckles-hairs-tattoos.html

Helen

[Deleted]

Helen,

I take it that this direction in technology is another reason to try to keep a stump? Am I thinking clearly on this?

What I am getting is that keeping the nerves, etc intact and conquering the pain somehow leaves me open to the
greatest chance of taking andvantage of this kind of stuff

and that the second option of severing nerves and muscles and paralyzing the stump removes some optioms but
preserves some, like osteointegration, and that

the third option of the shoulder disarticulation eliminates most if not all future options.

Is this close to a rational evaluation, do you think?

[snowyh]

Not being a prosthesis-wearer, I'm not in a very good position to give advice on such an important matter. It sounds like you've met with all sorts of medical professionals in your quest to gather information to make your decision... have you met with a prosthetist? I think they would be the best person to whom to put these types of questions. They likely cannot advise you on osseointegration, however, as it's not yet an approved procedure in the USA. For that you'll have to seek out info on the Internet or speak to someone with direct experience. If you're interested I can put you in touch with an American high-level arm amp who has had the procedure and can answer all your questions.

Helen

[Deleted]

Yes, please put me in touch with this person.

The problem is that I am balancing a future uncertainty against a present guarantee ( or as close to one as medicine can get).
Maybe much better next year against no pain 30 days from now ( and no arm, little hope of functional prosthetic).


So knowledge of all possible futures. like oseo, is important. and NOW.

Once what is left of my arm goes into the hospital's medical waste incinerator, it is too late

[snowyh]

Will do, Jill. Please remove your email address from your last post. I'll send a private message to communicate further. Thanks.

[Deleted]

Done.

[snowyh]

Wow--$260,000 for a pair of Touch Bionics hands! And Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance wouldn't cover them...

Article & video: www.kansas.com/news/local/article122115684.html