[Treatment paths in the exoskeletal prosthetic care of the upper extremities].

BACKGROUND

The successful prosthetic treatment after amputations of the upper extremities has to deal with the high demands of adequate compensation for functional, sensitive and also habitual requirements. The best success can only be achieved if the involved disciplines of medicine, therapy and technology act in close dialogue with one another and pull together.

OBJECTIVES

How can an interdisciplinary understanding of prosthetic care of the upper extremity be created and implemented in corresponding treatment pathways?

METHODS

Over a period of several years, a committee of German experts in prosthetics developed a quality standard for prosthetic care of the upper extremity. In 2014, this work was published in the form of a compendium. In line with a defined treatment path, all common upper extremity amputation levels are systematically described, and their prosthetic requirements are explained and justified, and any peculiarities delineated.

RESULTS

The result is a structured and clear reference work that enables its readers to receive care-related, level-dependent information on prosthetic care. In the meantime, this work has also been included and implemented by many cost bearers as the basis for the corresponding aid supply contracts.

CONCLUSIONS

Defined treatment paths contribute to a better interdisciplinary understanding and enable structured and quality-oriented care for amputated people.