The benefits of Targeted Muscle Reinnervation

How can you treat a primary amputation?

Treatment for a primary amputation typically involves surgical removal of the affected limb, followed by rehabilitation and prosthetic fitting. The rehabilitation process may include physical therapy to help the patient learn to use the prosthetic limb, as well as psychological counseling to help the patient cope with the loss of the limb. In some cases, a patient may also need additional surgeries, such as skin grafts, to improve the appearance and function of the amputated limb. Additionally, it’s important to provide the patient with proper wound care to prevent infection and aid in healing.

What is an prosthetic expert?

A prosthetic expert is a professional who specializes in the design, fitting, and maintenance of prosthetic devices. Prosthetic experts can be divided into two main categories: prosthetists and orthotists.

Prosthetists are specialists who design and fit prosthetic limbs for people who have lost all or part of an arm or leg. They work with patients to evaluate their needs, take measurements, and create a custom-fitted prosthetic device that will help the patient regain mobility and independence.

Orthotists are specialists who design and fit orthotic devices, which are devices that support, align, or prevent movement of the body’s muscles and joints. They work with patients to evaluate their needs and create a custom-fitted orthotic device that will help the patient alleviate pain, improve mobility, or prevent further injury.

Both Prosthetists and Orthotists are certified through their own respective professional organizations and must meet certain educational and training requirements, as well as pass a certification exam, in order to practice.

How does Targeted Muscle Reinnervation work?

Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR) is a surgical technique that is used to help people who have had a limb amputation regain control of their prosthetic limb. The procedure involves rerouting the nerves that once controlled the muscles of the amputated limb, to the remaining muscles in the residual limb.

The first step in TMR is to locate the nerves that once controlled the amputated limb. These nerves are then cut and rerouted to the remaining muscles in the residual limb. Once the nerves have been rerouted, they will begin to grow and form new connections with the muscles in the residual limb.

After the surgical procedure, patients typically undergo a period of rehabilitation in order to learn how to use the reinnervated muscles to control the prosthetic limb. This is done by connecting the reinnervated muscles to sensors in the prosthetic limb, which can detect the electrical signals generated by the muscles and use them to control the movement of the prosthetic limb.

TMR allows patients to regain a more natural control of their prosthetic limbs, allowing them to perform more complex and coordinated movements such as grasping objects, and even allowing them to feel sensations such as touch and pressure through their prosthetic limbs.

It’s important to note that TMR is an experimental surgical procedure that is not widely available, and not all patients are suitable candidates for the procedure. Additionally, the success of TMR varies from one patient to another and follow-up studies are needed to determine its long-term effectiveness.

What you need to know about Osseointegration surgery

Osseointegration surgery is a surgical procedure used to create a direct structural and functional connection between the bone and the implant in people with limb amputations. The goal of osseointegration is to provide a stable and secure anchorage for an artificial limb and to enable the patient to have a more natural control of their prosthetic limb. The osseointegration surgery involves implanting a metal rod, called an osseointegration implant, into the bone of the residual limb.

The implant protrudes through the skin, providing a secure connection point for the prosthetic limb. Once the implant has been placed, the patient will typically undergo a period of healing, which can take several months. After the implant has fully osseointegrated, the patient can be fit with a special type of prosthetic limb called an osseointegrated prosthesis. This type of prosthetic limb connects directly to the implant, providing a secure and stable connection that allows the patient to have more natural control of the prosthetic limb. Osseointegration is considered a complex and invasive surgical procedure, and it’s not suitable for all patients with amputations, it’s usually only considered for patients with a residual limb of sufficient length and with a high level of amputation.