Improvement In Function With Cineplastic Over Conventional Harness
Claude N. Lambert, M.D.
William Scheck, C.P.
E. W. had a wrist disarticulation in January of 1956 following an industrial accident. He was fitted with a conventional plastic forearm prosthesis, double wall socket figure eight harness (
Fig. 1
). APRL hand and APRL hook. Functional response was excellent and he returned to his regular occupation. He observed another amputee who was using a cineplastic activated arm, and desired to have such function himself. He was reviewed at the amputee clinic of the University of Illinois, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, and with his good musculature (
Fig. 2
), his excellent function with the conventional arm, and his co-operative response, it was felt that he would be an excellent candidate for a biceps cineplastic tunnel.
On October 17, 1957 a cineplastic tunnel was made in the right biceps (
Fig. 3
). The patient states that he had very little pain after operation. He began his training in the use of the cineplastic tunnel twenty days after operation. Figure eight harness and control were removed from original prosthesis and cineplastic controls installed, and as a result he now experiences better sense of touch, much less effort to activate terminal device, and better range of motion all around. He can now take things out of his back pockets, an activity he could never do before. He has much more comfort with elimination of the harness. He states that his posture has improved. He uses APRL hook in free wheeling position. He has broken several cables, torn the wrist unit out of socket, but has never injured his biceps tunnel. Biceps tunnel is cleaned once a day with plain soap and water and he uses cocoa butter in the tunnel about every three days. His only regret is that he did not have a cineplastic tunnel made immediately after amputation, as Mr. E. W. is completely satisfied with the final results.
Claude N. Lambert, M.D., 104 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, III.
William Scheck, C.P., 505 Madison St., Oak Park, III.
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