Your fingers are the most important part of your body. Without even one of them, a simple task like buttoning your shirt, tying your shoe laces or writing, can become extremely challenging. Unfortunately, terrible illnesses and accidents result in the loss of fingers. Re-attachment or re-construction may not be possible all the time, leading to amputation. Amputation of fingers can take away your quality of life. Finger prosthetics can help reverse this by providing you with realistic prosthetic fingers, which can help you regain almost-complete control over the movement of your hands.
Why Finger Prosthesis?
Prosthetics Can Help Restore Functionality
Dr. Joshua Gordon, MD and Dr. Leonard Gordon, MD specialize in hand and wrist surgery. Finger prosthetic design and surgical placement is an area they have trained in extensively. At the Hand and Microsurgery Medical Group, we offer three different types of finger prosthetics, each of which vary in design and level of functionality they offer.
Passive Prosthetics
Passive finger prosthetics are non-robotic silicone prosthetics which are best suited for hand restoration. They are usually favored for extremity damage to the hand and are ideal if you do not require a prosthetic that offers grasping and holding functionalities.
At our clinic, we can design your prosthetic to suit your skin & nail tone and texture. This way your hand looks realistic and beautiful.
Body-powered Prosthetics
These prosthetics are ideal if the patient requires movement and flexibility in the fingers. Body-powered finger prosthetics use manual controls, cables and harnesses to hold the prosthetics in place. When worn, the patient generates the energy to move the prosthetic fingers in the wrist, elbow joint or upper arm and uses the cables and harnesses to move the fingers. These prosthetics are more reasonably priced and they are especially useful if you have a job that requires movement for hands-on tasks.
Restoring Health,
One Hand at a Time
Electric-powered Prosthetics. The most effective and natural-looking way to retain the movement and flexibility of your hands after finger loss.
Similar to body-powered prosthetics, the electric-powered finger prosthetics offer a high degree of movement and flexibility to the hand. They are myoelectric prosthetics and they use the residual electric impulses in your hand to power and move the prosthetic.
They are one of the more expensive prosthetic types available at our clinic. But they also offer a very natural feel when worn. It is the perfect solution for a person who wishes to retain the use of their residual limb when wearing the prosthetic.
When you visit the Hand and Microsurgery Medical Group for treatment, you will have a consultation with either Dr. Leonard Gordon or Dr. Joshua Gordon. The doctor will take a look at your hand and discuss with you your needs and expectations. Based on this, they will recommend the best solution for you, helping you restore your quality of life and daily activity.
When designing your prosthetic, the doctor will have you try and test the prosthetic to check your comfort in them. In restorative prosthetic treatments, the doctor will also replicate your skin & nail color when having the prosthetics designed.
Once your prosthetics arrive, you will be asked to wear them for a period of two weeks. During this time the doctor will fix any issues you may be having with the prosthetics and make it comfortable for use.
Prosthesis Care
Your finger prosthetics are made from pliant, flexible material which offer wonderful range of movement. Stretching your hand and fingers won’t wrinkle them. When cleaning prosthetics, wash silicone prosthetics with water and mild soap. For all other prosthetics, wipe clean with a dry cloth. If you’ve worn nail polish on your prosthetic fingers, you can wipe it off using a gentle nail polish remover. Any paint or pen marks can also be washed-off with water and mild soap or a damp cloth.
If you would like to know more about your options in finger prosthetics, give us a call today. We are more than happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
