Affiliations: Shriners Hospitals for Children, Philadelphia, PA,
USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Shriners Hospitals for Children,
3551 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA. Tel.: +1 215 430 4260;
Fax: +1 215 430 4123; E-mail: jkanas@shrinenet.org
Abstract: Children of all ages, regardless of any limb loss, need to play.
Sports and recreation needs vary from person to person and by age. Adapting
upper extremity prostheses for play, sport, and recreation is an option. The
decision making process regarding the use of adaptive prostheses should involve
a team-oriented approach which places the patient at the center of the team.
When an individual chooses to adapt his/her prosthesis, the treating
prosthetist is invaluable. The type of adaptation depends on the particular
activity. As technology continues to improve, the barriers that exist for an
individual with a limb deficiency will continue to be challenged. There are a
number of resources and groups dedicated to helping limb deficient individuals
achieve a greater level of independence by allowing them to interact with their
peers through both recreation and competitive sports.
