Osseointegration of the Upper Extremity.

Abstract

Socket-based prosthetics are associated with several problems in the context of upper extremity amputation. These negatively affect comfort and functionality and result in high prosthetic abandonment rates. The concept of osseointegration seeks to circumnavigate these issues by providing a stable interface and avoiding the need for a socket. In this article, we discuss the different osteointegration strategies for each upper extremity amputation level and briefly explore the reported clinical experience for each strategy. Finally, we discuss how progress in this field may help us get closer to the intuitive control of the native hand in the near future.