Rehabilitation of unilateral below-elbow amputees with myoelectric prostheses.

A rehabilitation program is described for unilateral below-elbow amputees resulting in prosthesis acceptance in 9 out of 16 patients 1-4 years after application. The features of the program were information and early training of stump muscles after amputation, application of prosthesis as early as possible, and extensive information and follow-up at regular intervals for about one year. Technical service was given special attention and each patient had access to a spare prosthesis. At a follow-up examination the results of two functional performance tests were compared with a subjective clinical rating and with a rating of acceptance. The functional tests yielded equally much information about function as the conventional clinical ratings. Technical skill in controlling the prosthesis was found not to be related to acceptance.