Looking after our kids
Paediatric prosthetics is a specialist care service, with children making up only a very small percentage of the overall amputee population. The majority of amputations in children are directly related to elective surgery procedures for congenital limb deficiencies. The orthopaedic management and timing of these procedures is critical to achieving a successful prosthetic outcome. The most common elective procedures are associated with lower limb deformities. The removal of the foot at the ankle or Symes/Boyd amputation and an amputation at the knee are most commonly selected. The reason for this is that there is no disruption to the normal growth process and allows individuals to end bear on their residium, which has significant biomechanical advantages. Upper limb children generally present with short below elbow, wrist or partial hand deficiencies. Surgical intervention is occasionally required and a prosthetic device may or may not be required depending on the length and functionality of the residual limb. Other causes for amputations in children can be associated with osteogenic sarcoma and trauma.
Although there has been an explosion of prosthetic component choices available today, there are still limitations today on the product options available for children. Children are famous for destroying their prosthetic devices. So the limits are not on the child's willingness to participate and live a normal childhood but are associated with the limits on the products themselves. So plan on visiting your prosthetist and facility on a routine basis for ongoing repairs, adjustments to growth and replacement limbs.
One of a kind designs!
Many children will choose their favourite cartoon character, football team or artwork to personalise their prosthesis – so we support kids to bring their creative imaginations to life!
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