Suggested techniques for producing a partial prosthesis from silicone rubber.

THERE is often a lengthy period between the occurrence of a severe accident and the time when the surgeon considers that the patient is fit to proceed to a limb-fitting centre. Further delays may thereafter occur until an artificial limb is finally fitted. It would also appear that limb-fitting centres are mainly concerned with return to function of a limb and this would seem quite a reasonable emphasis. They also seem to function more effectively after cases of total, rather than partial, amputation. With certain people, especially young girls, obvious physical deformity may effectively obstruct any possibility of their being able to lead a normal social life during the treatment stages. Since more than two years may elapse before a return to apparent physical normality, the risks of a patient's developing undesirable physical or mental mannerisms associated with the deformity are considerable. Recently, two cases of severe injury of the hands arising from works accidents have been observed, and the degree of mental suffering associated with the mutilation was so impressive that it was decided to fabricate some form of artificial hand which would be lifelike and acceptable to the patient. Using ' cold curing' silicone rubber, a relatively new material which was fortunately readily available, a prosthesis having some good qualities was produced.