The fitting of a unilateral shoulder disarticulation prosthesis after electrical burn injury: A case report

Acquired amputation of an upper extremity is less common than lower extremity amputation. In the pediatric age group the most common causes of amputation are trauma and disease. Traumatic injuries include those from automobile accidents, farm accidents, lawn mower accidents, and high tension electrical wires. In 90% of acquired amputations, a single limb is involved [2]. Surgical intervention may differ from the adult guidelines to conserve all possible length of the residual extremity. Children may be given a disarticulation rather than a transdiaphyseal amputation, which preserves epiphyseal growth plates and also avoids development of terminal overgrowth [2]. Amputations related to electrical burns present additional rehabilitation challenges beyond those typically encountered due to tumors, trauma, or infection. Electrical burn injuries are complicated because of damage to structures including blood vessels, muscles, nerves, tendons, bone and skin. Tissue injury is the result of the conversion of electrical energy into thermal energy or heat. The voltage determines the pathway of the electricity, with high voltage following the most direct