Responses to Swimming Hand

Responses to Swimming Hand

Thanks to all who responded to my inqury. Below is the original question
followed by the responses I have received so far. I'll post additional
responses as I receive them.

My suggestion is that ,as far as my
knowledge goes- mittent-hand this kind of hand is
suggested for early fitting for acceptance of
prosthesis -this kind can be used for swimming, this
may intrest you or may not, this is just an suggestion


I have a client who is a congenital upper extremity amputee. He has a normal
length forearm, a few carpal bones and a bit of a palm with some wrist
flexion. He was fitted with a passive hand when he started to crawl about age
one. I don't believe he ever really wore/used it for any significant time
period. He is now 4 1/2 and does not wear a prosthesis. His mother is
interested in eventually having him fitted with a myoelectric prosthesis but,
right now is more interested in whether some type of prosthetic device would
aid him in swimming.

I would be appreciative of any advice or feedback those with knowledge or
experience with similar cases might offer.

Following are the responses received so far:

In the vasr majority of cases like you describe, the amputee will never use a
prosthesis because his wrist and partial hand are so functional. A
prosthesis does not allow the patient to feel with his hand, which is a major
problem. This being said, these patients usually have to discover this
themselves and usually get fit with one or two prostheses before they
discover that they are far more functional without one.

Eddie: We use the TRS sports hand. Bob Radocy uses it for gymnastics,
vollyball, swimming, etc. It is light, flexible, and shaped like a
swimmers cupped hand.

Try TRS, they have a seim device and a flexible, cupped hand that may work
well.

Most children do well without any type of device for swimming. The device
just gets in the way when a small child is learning. I would recommend that
this little one learn to swim first!! Swimming does take coordination and
practice. This child also has plenty of length in his arm. If he becomes a
good swimmer or a more competitive one later on, then he could try a swimming
device which might improve speed and performance. A device now will not help
him learn how to swim.

Our company manufactures high grade silicone cosmetic handgloves for more
than 11 years. You are welcome to visit our website at <A HREF= <URL Redacted>>www.regalhand.com.hk</A>
for more details of our products.
Please feel free to call me on (852) 9155 5971 if I can be of any assistance.

The T.R.S. Freestyle TSD (theraputic swim device) may be an
option but I think it's made to attach like a terminal device
so you'ld need to fabricate a socket (I 'm not sure on that
though). I also don't know if it comes in a pedi size, but TRS
is usually good about that. See it in the Atlas of Limb
Prosthetics if you have one. Also in that book is a picture of a
patient with a swimmer's training paddle attached to his
residual limb with surgical tubing which would be alot easier
and cheaper and may suit your patient's needs.

I make a coply self suspend socket with a 1/2 polypro wrist that I
make on my metal lathe. I then take a derin rod from left over shuttle
lock material and thread and attach a copoly paddle to. There has to be
some adjustment as to the size of paddle and holes in it for ease of
swimming. If you need more info call me or I can sketch it out for you.

I observed a number of congenital arm amputee children swimming in an
Atlanta pool 3-4 years ago. Not a prosthesis in sight. Seems the attachment
may have been more of a hindrance than an aid.

As a BK amputee since 1969, I have done a wee bit of swimming and suggest
that personally, I find a prosthesis to be a pain in the keister while in the
water.
I manage swimming quite well without one. I do know some leg amputees use
swim fins and other attachments so I suppose it boils down to a matter of
preference.
The thousands spent on a myo-electric arm, which might not prove entirely
useful at $20 or $30K, could instead be spent on the child's education. But
that is another matter entirely:)

Eddie, your best bet is to contact TRS, I do not have their phone number
handy. Bob Radocy is the best contact.

Eddie...I'm a CO & not very well versed in prosthetics but sometimes the
simplest approach is the best. If the objective is learning the basics of
water safety, learning to tread water, directional propulsion, etc.,
perhaps a pair of kids footsie-fins would be most practical. I love
watersports, but being an extremely skinny guy, my flotation quotient is
way below my fuller figured friends. However, with fins I can comfortably
tread in place, cruise on my back with sun on my face, or snorkel & scan for
shells & fishies, all with no upper extremity assistance. If a more suitable
prosthetic solution can't be found, perhaps mom & dad would be amenable to
this low tech suggestion.


Thanks again,
Eddie White, CP
Beacon Prosthetics and Orthotics
3911 New Bern Ave.
Raleigh NC 27610

                          ********************
To unsubscribe, send a message to: <Email Address Redacted> with
the words UNSUB OANDP-L in the body of the
message.

If you have a problem unsubscribing,or have other
questions, send e-mail to the moderator
Paul E. Prusakowski,CPO at <Email Address Redacted>

OANDP-L is a forum for the discussion of topics
related to Orthotics and Prosthetics.

Public commercial postings are forbidden. Responses to inquiries
should not be sent to the entire oandp-l list. Professional credentials
or affilliations should be used in all communications.