Shoulder disarticulation amputee wants to drive commercial truck
Karl Entenmann
Description
Collection
Title:
Shoulder disarticulation amputee wants to drive commercial truck
Creator:
Karl Entenmann
Date:
2/4/2015
Text:
Hi List,We have been approached by a recent left shoulder disarticulation amputee from Alaska who wants to be fitted for a prosthesis so that he can return to commercial truck driving. He had an injury that resulted in a stroke and left arm paralysis. Also had brachial plexus injury. He had an elective shoulder disarticulation in October 2014 and is ready for prosthetic fitting.
Even with electronic components, I do not believe we can provide a prosthesis that would allow him to functionally use that arm for driving a truck with a clutch. He wants to be able to steer the truck with the left prosthesis while shifting. We are suggesting an automatic transmission which is available on Class 8 trucks, but he is insisting that he wants to be able to drive the clutch. It appears that the automatic transmission may not be as controllable as manual on snow and ice.
We are looking for any suggestions. Oh, and he is covered by Medicare and Alaska Medicaid with no out of Alaska Medicaid coverage.
ThanksKarl Entenmann, CPOPreferred O and PTacoma WA
Even with electronic components, I do not believe we can provide a prosthesis that would allow him to functionally use that arm for driving a truck with a clutch. He wants to be able to steer the truck with the left prosthesis while shifting. We are suggesting an automatic transmission which is available on Class 8 trucks, but he is insisting that he wants to be able to drive the clutch. It appears that the automatic transmission may not be as controllable as manual on snow and ice.
We are looking for any suggestions. Oh, and he is covered by Medicare and Alaska Medicaid with no out of Alaska Medicaid coverage.
ThanksKarl Entenmann, CPOPreferred O and PTacoma WA
Citation
Karl Entenmann, “Shoulder disarticulation amputee wants to drive commercial truck,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/237125.
