Long-term functional and clinical outcome of combined targeted muscle reinnervation and osseointegration for functional bionic reconstruction in transhumeral amputees: a case series

Authors

  • Agnes Sturma Degree Program Physiotherapy, Department of Health Sciences, University of Applied Sciences FH Campus Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Clinical Laboratory for Bionic Extremity Reconstruction, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  • Anna Boesendorfer Clinical Laboratory for Bionic Extremity Reconstruction, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  • Clemens Gstoettner Clinical Laboratory for Bionic Extremity Reconstruction, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  • Benedikt Baumgartner Clinical Laboratory for Bionic Extremity Reconstruction, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  • Stefan Salminger AUVA Trauma Hospital Lorenz Böhler—European Hand Trauma Center, Vienna, Austria
  • Dario Farina Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
  • Rickard Brånemark Department of Orthopaedics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; K. Lisa Yang Center for Bionics, MIT Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA
  • Ivan Vujaklija Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
  • Gerhard M. Hobusch Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  • Oskar C. Aszmann Clinical Laboratory for Bionic Extremity Reconstruction, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2340/jrm.v56.34141

Keywords:

amputation, function, osseointegration, bone anchored prosthesis, targeted muscle reinnervation, transhumeral, upper extremity, case series

Abstract

Objective: To describe and evaluate the combination of osseointegration and nerve transfers in 3 transhumeral amputees.

Design: Case series.

Patients: Three male patients with a unilateral traumatic transhumeral amputation.

Methods: Patients received a combination of osseointegration and targeted muscle reinnervation surgery. Rehabilitation included graded weight training, range of motion exercises, biofeedback, table-top prosthesis training, and controlling the actual device. The impairment in daily life, health-related quality of life, and pain before and after the intervention was evaluated in these patients. Their shoulder range of motion, prosthesis embodiment, and function were documented at a 2- to 5-year follow-up.

Results: All 3 patients attended rehabilitation and used their myoelectric prosthesis on a daily basis. Two patients had full shoulder range of motion with the prosthesis, while the other patient had 55° of abduction and 45° of anteversion. They became more independent in their daily life activities after the intervention and incorporated their prosthesis into their body scheme to a high extent.

Conclusion: These results indicate that patients can benefit from the combined procedure. However, the patients’ perspective, risks of the surgical procedures, and the relatively long rehabilitation procedure need to be incorporated in the decision-making.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Farina D, Vujaklija I, Brånemark R, Bull AMJ, Dietl H, Graimann B, et al. Toward higher-performance bionic limbs for wider clinical use. Nat Biomed Eng 2023; 7: 473–485.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41551-021-00732-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41551-021-00732-x

Jönsson S, Caine-Winterberger K, Brånemark R. Osseointegration amputation prostheses on the upper limbs: methods, prosthetics and rehabilitation. Prosthet Orthot Int 2011; 35: 190–200.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0309364611409003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0309364611409003

Salminger S, Gradischar A, Skiera R, Roche AD, Sturma A, Hofer C, et al. Attachment of upper arm prostheses with a subcutaneous osseointegrated implant in transhumeral amputees. Prosthet Orthot Int 2018; 42: 93–100.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0309364616665732 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0309364616665732

Fitzgibbons P, Medvedev G. Functional and clinical outcomes of upper extremity amputation. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2015; 23: 751–760.

https://doi.org/10.5435/jaaos-d-14-00302 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5435/JAAOS-D-14-00302

Dumanian GA, Ko JH, O’Shaughnessy KD, Kim PS, Wilson CJ, Kuiken TA. Targeted reinnervation for transhumeral amputees: current surgical technique and update on results. Plast Reconstr Surg 2009; 124: 863–869.

https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181b038c9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181b038c9

Vujaklija I, Farina D, Aszmann OC. New developments in prosthetic arm systems. Orthop Res Rev 2016; 8: 31–39.

https://doi.org/10.2147/orr.S71468 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/ORR.S71468

Stubblefield KA, Miller LA, Lipschutz RD, Kuiken TA. Occupational therapy protocol for amputees with targeted muscle reinnervation. J Rehabil Res Dev 2009; 46: 481–488.

https://doi.org/10.1682/jrrd.2008.10.0138 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2008.10.0138

Wright TW, Hagen AD, Wood MB. Prosthetic usage in major upper extremity amputations. J Hand Surg Am 1995; 20: 619–622.

https://doi.org/10.1016/s0363-5023(05)80278-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0363-5023(05)80278-3

Østlie K, Lesjø IM, Franklin RJ, Garfelt B, Skjeldal OH, Magnus P. Prosthesis rejection in acquired major upper-limb amputees: a population-based survey. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol 2012; 7: 294–303.

https://doi.org/10.3109/17483107.2011.635405 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/17483107.2011.635405

Salminger S, Stino H, Pichler LH, Gstoettner C, Sturma A, Mayer JA, et al. Current rates of prosthetic usage in upper-limb amputees: have innovations had an impact on device acceptance? Disabil Rehabili 2022; 44: 3708–3713.

https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1866684 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1866684

Kuiken TA, Li G, Lock BA, Lipschutz RD, Miller LA, Stubblefield KA, et al. Targeted muscle reinnervation for real-time myoelectric control of multifunction artificial arms. JAMA 2009; 301: 619–628.

https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2009.116 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2009.116

Sturma A, Stamm T, Hruby LA, Bischof B, Salminger S, Gstoettner C, et al. Rehabilitation of high upper limb amputees after targeted muscle reinnervation. J Hand Ther 2020: 58–66.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jht.2020.10.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jht.2020.10.002

Salminger S, Sturma A, Roche AD, Mayer JA, Gstoettner C, Aszmann OC. Outcomes, challenges, and pitfalls after targeted muscle reinnervation in high-level amputees: is it worth the effort? Plast Reconstr Surg 2019; 144: 1037e–1043e.

https://doi.org/10.1097/prs.0000000000006277 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000006277

Tsikandylakis G, Berlin Ö, Brånemark R. Implant survival, adverse events, and bone remodeling of osseointegrated percutaneous implants for transhumeral amputees. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2014; 472: 2947–2956.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-014-3695-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-014-3695-6

Li Y, Brånemark R. Osseointegrated prostheses for rehabilitation following amputation: the pioneering Swedish model. Unfallchirurg 2017; 120: 285–292.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00113-017-0331-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00113-017-0331-4

Ortiz-Catalan M, Mastinu E, Sassu P, Aszmann O, Brånemark R. Self-contained neuromusculoskeletal arm prostheses. N Engl J Med 2020; 382: 1732–1738.

https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1917537 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1917537

Vincitorio F, Staffa G, Aszmann OC, Fontana M, Brånemark R, Randi P, et al. Targeted muscle reinnervation and osseointegration for pain relief and prosthetic arm control in a woman with bilateral proximal upper limb amputation. World Neurosurg 2020; 143: 365–373.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2020.08.047 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2020.08.047

Sturma A, Hruby LA, Boesendorfer A, Gstoettner C, Farina D, Aszmann OC. Therapy interventions for upper limb amputees undergoing selective nerve transfers. JoVE 2021: e62896. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3791/62896-v

https://doi.org/doi:10.3791/62896 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3791/62896

Hudak PL, Amadio PC, Bombardier C. Development of an upper extremity outcome measure: the DASH (disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand) [corrected]. The Upper Extremity Collaborative Group (UECG). Am J Ind Med 1996; 29: 602–608.

https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1097-0274(199606)29:6<602::Aid-ajim4>3.0.Co;2-l DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0274(199606)29:6<602::AID-AJIM4>3.0.CO;2-L

Offenbächer M, Ewert T, Sangha O, Stucki G. Validation of a German version of the ‘Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand’ questionnaire (DASH-G). Z Rheumatol 2003; 62: 168–177.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00393-003-0461-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00393-003-0461-7

Ware JE Jr, Gandek B. Overview of the SF-36 Health Survey and the International Quality of Life Assessment (IQOLA) Project. J Clin Epidemiol 1998; 51: 903–912.

https://doi.org/10.1016/s0895-4356(98)00081-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0895-4356(98)00081-X

Bullinger M. German translation and psychometric testing of the SF-36 Health Survey: preliminary results from the IQOLA Project. International Quality of Life Assessment. Soc Sci Med 1995; 41: 1359–1366.

https://doi.org/10.1016/0277-9536(95)00115-n DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0277-9536(95)00115-N

Sturma A, Hruby LA, Boesendorfer A, Pittermann A, Salminger S, Gstoettner C, et al. Prosthetic embodiment and body image changes in patients undergoing bionic reconstruction following brachial plexus injury. Front Neurorobot 2021; 15: 645261.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbot.2021.645261 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbot.2021.645261

Yozbatiran N, Der-Yeghiaian L, Cramer SC. A standardized approach to performing the action research arm test. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2008; 22: 78–90.

https://doi.org/10.1177/1545968307305353 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1545968307305353

Light CM, Chappell PH, Kyberd PJ. Establishing a standardized clinical assessment tool of pathologic and prosthetic hand function: normative data, reliability, and validity. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2002; 83: 776–783.

https://doi.org/10.1053/apmr.2002.32737 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1053/apmr.2002.32737

Hussaini A, Hill W, Kyberd P. Clinical evaluation of the refined clothespin relocation test: a pilot study. Prosthet Orthot Int 2019; 43: 485–491.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0309364619843779 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0309364619843779

Kyberd P, Hussaini A, Maillet G. Characterisation of the Clothespin Relocation Test as a functional assessment tool. J Rehabil Assist Technol Eng 2018; 5: 2055668317750810.

https://doi.org/10.1177/2055668317750810 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2055668317750810

Ricardo B, Jessica C, Carlos VJ. A case report: Transhumeral amputee treatment with osseointegrated prosthesis and rehabilitation. J Hand Ther 2020; 33: 263–268.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jht.2020.03.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jht.2020.03.003

Davidson J. A comparison of upper limb amputees and patients with upper limb injuries using the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH). Disabil Rehabil 2004; 26: 917–923.

https://doi.org/10.1080/09638280410001708940 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09638280410001708940

Sabharwal S, Skolasky RL, Souza JM, Potter BK, Forsberg JA. Concurrent validity of PROMIS with DASH and DVPRS in transhumeral amputees. Hand (N Y) 2023; 18: 845–848.

https://doi.org/10.1177/15589447211073833 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/15589447211073833

Østlie K, Franklin RJ, Skjeldal OH, Skrondal A, Magnus P. Assessing physical function in adult acquired major upper-limb amputees by combining the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Outcome Questionnaire and clinical examination. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2011; 92: 1636–1645.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2011.04.019 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2011.04.019

Resnik L, Borgia M, Cancio JM, Delikat J, Ni P. Psychometric evaluation of the Southampton hand assessment procedure (SHAP) in a sample of upper limb prosthesis users. J Hand Ther 2021 S0894-1130(21)00111-3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26226/morressier.614ca2d987a68d83cb5d5dcc

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jht.2021.07.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jht.2021.07.003

Lundberg M, Hagberg K, Bullington J. My prosthesis as a part of me: a qualitative analysis of living with an osseointegrated prosthetic limb. Prosthet Orthot Int 2011; 35: 207–214.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0309364611409795 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0309364611409795

Salminger S, Sturma A, Hofer C, Evangelista M, Perrin M, Bergmeister KD, et al. Long-term implant of intramuscular sensors and nerve transfers for wireless control of robotic arms in above-elbow amputees. Sci Robot 2019; 4 (32): eaaw6306.

https://doi.org/10.1126/scirobotics.aaw6306. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/scirobotics.aaw6306

Middleton A, Ortiz-Catalan M. Neuromusculoskeletal arm prostheses: personal and social implications of living with an intimately integrated bionic arm. Front Neurorobot 2020; 14: 39.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbot.2020.00039 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbot.2020.00039

Gstoettner C, Salminger S, Bergmeister K, Willensdorfer A, Aman M, Aszmann OC. Implantable myoelectric sensors for prosthetic control. In: Aszmann OC, Farina D, editors. Bionic Limb Reconstruction. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland AG; 2021. p. 137–145. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60746-3_14

Østlie K, Skjeldal OH, Garfelt B, Magnus P. Adult acquired major upper limb amputation in Norway: prevalence, demographic features and amputation specific features. A population-based survey. Disabil Rehabil 2011; 33: 1636–1649.

https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2010.541973 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2010.541973

Additional Files

Published

2024-05-21

How to Cite

Sturma, A., Boesendorfer, A., Gstoettner, C., Baumgartner, B. ., Salminger, S., Farina, D., … Aszmann, O. (2024). Long-term functional and clinical outcome of combined targeted muscle reinnervation and osseointegration for functional bionic reconstruction in transhumeral amputees: a case series. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 56, jrm34141. https://doi.org/10.2340/jrm.v56.34141

Issue

Section

Original Report

Categories