Upper Limb Prosthesis Evaluation in Amman-Jordan

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate upper limb prosthesis in Amman-Jordan and to give a general overview about some of the basic characteristics of upper limb prostheses. It also aims to investigate how patients consider the prosthetic aspects and how they arrange their priorities to accept upper limb prostheses according to their interests and demands. Study Design: A cross sectional study. Subjects and Methods: The study is conducted in Jordan in three different clinics. These clinics are in three different regions of Amman; Albashir Hospital, Medic Step Center, and Royal Medical Services Hospital. The sample of the study includes fifteen Participants; upper limb amputees already fitted and using prosthesis were selected to participate in this questionnaire-based study. There were no exclusion criteria due to the limited number of upper limb amputees in Amman-Jordan. A 59-item questionnaire was designed to cover all important aspects of evaluation for upper limb prosthesis. Data were collected and processed with SPSS statistics program. Results: The data analysis reveals that the first priority for this group of amputees is fitting and suspension with the mean rating (4.74), comfort with mean rating of (4.73), appearance (4.4), ease of donning and doffing (3.87), function, durability, cost (3.47),(2.13),(1.8) respectively. Conclusion: Upper limb amputees in Amman-Jordan were found to have some priorities regarding accepting prostheses. The first priority was fitting and suspension followed by comfort, next is appearance followed by ease of donning and doffing then comes function, durability and cost respectively.