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Arm prostheses for children and teenagers

There is a lot on your mind when your child needs a (new) arm prosthesis. We understand this very well at Amputee Care Center (ACC). It is a drastic change for your child, but also the rest of the family. However, it also means a new path full of opportunities and possibilities! At ACC, we specialise in prosthetics for children and are here for you and your child.

Every child or teenager is different and so every child also has different needs and wishes. At Amputee Care Center, we therefore customise arm prostheses to suit your child's life stage and activities. We listen to your child and you as parents and together we look for the best solution. Our pediatric orthopaedics (paediatric prosthetics) team guides babies from their first pat hand to the most advanced bionic solutions, and we are proud of that!

Want to know more? Then be sure to visit us for a free, no-obligation introductory consultation.

Book an introductory meeting

Book an introductory meeting with a delicious cup of coffee!

Contact us by completing the Contact Form or by calling +32 (0)470 500 888.

We are at your service.

Types of pediatric arm prostheses

The level of amputation largely determines which pediatric arm prostheses are most suitable. The paediatric orthopaedics team at Amputee Care Center specialises in designing and making paediatric arm prostheses for:

  • Fingertip amputation in children: when one or more fingertips are missing, a cosmetic finger prosthesis for children is often chosen.
  • Finger amputation in children: if one or more whole fingers are missing, we often choose a small finger prosthesis that helps with grasping.
  • Hand amputation in children: we make hand prostheses specifically for children and teenagers. This can be a passive hand prosthesis with a cosmetic function, or an advanced prosthetic hand that can function like a real hand.
  • Forearm amputation in children: in this case, part of the arm below the elbow is not or no longer present. This is the arm amputation level we see most often at Amputee Care Center and for which our specialists make different types of prostheses.
  • Upper arm amputation in children: if part of the arm above the elbow is missing, this requires an arm prosthesis, sometimes operated mechanically or with bionic technology.

Arm prosthesis for babies and toddlers

From about 6 months to 2 years old, your baby may have a first infant hand or passive arm prosthesis. We also call this a “pat hand”. This helps develop balance and explore the environment. Moreover, it stimulates bilateral brain development. Thus, it helps your little one in two-handed activities, such as holding or manipulating something while playing.

In this first phase, we get to know your child better and outline his/her future possibilities. 

Arm prosthesis for toddlers

From 2 years old, a child can usually already use a mechanical active arm prosthesis. It still works without a battery and is operated by body movement, for example by movements from the shoulder or upper arm. It is an ideal type of prosthesis for toddlers who want to actively grasp to draw, stack blocks or make music, for example. This prosthesis promotes functional use of both arms. It is a nice intermediate step towards a later myo-electric or bionic arm prosthesis. Step by step, we build your child's confidence, muscle strength and independence.

Arm prosthesis for toddlers and young children

From about 3 years of age, children can use myoelectric arm prostheses. These are controlled via muscle signals (EMG). These prostheses are ideal for young users thanks to a lightweight battery, a small motor and child-friendly designs. With advanced 3D scanning and printing techniques, we at Amputee Care Center ensure an optimal fit of the prosthetic socket. As a result, your child is assured of maximum wearing comfort. It gives your child more control and helps with daily activities such as playing, eating and crafts. The expert guidance and total care of our paediatric orthopaedics team is hugely important at this stage. We remain closely involved. 

Book an introductory meeting

Book an introductory meeting with a delicious cup of coffee!

Contact us by completing the Contact Form or by calling +32 (0)470 500 888.

We are at your service.

Arm prosthesis for juniors and teenagers

In children and teenagers from about 8 years old, the latest generation of bionic arm prosthesis is often chosen. One example is the popular Hero Arm from Open Bionics. These prostheses are lighter and have more features. For example, complex wrist and finger movements are possible. This makes it easier for your child to grasp objects in different positions. With a bionic arm, your child gets the maximum amount of freedom of movement. This allows your child to grow up free and do whatever he or she wants with the prosthetic arm.

Hero Arm by Open Bionics lets children shine again

At Amputee Care Center, we work completely brand-independently. We are very proud to be able to offer children, in addition to traditional Ottobock and Ossur arm prostheses, the Hero Arm by Open Bionics. This is a very special arm prosthesis developed especially for children (youngsters and adults) who like a modern arm prosthesis that can do a lot, but is also very beautiful and cool.

The Hero Arm is a bionic arm prosthesis made of 3D-printed material. This makes it very light, perfectly fitting and comfortable to wear. The Hero Arm is a smart prosthesis that makes it possible to grasp something small, for example, but also to perform large actions. It works thanks to muscle signals from the body and converts them into movements. As a result, moving feels natural and, as a wearer, you also have more control.

So the Hero Arm is not only a very smart arm prosthesis for children, but it also looks cool. It is available with interchangeable covers in all kinds of colours and prints. For example, it is even possible to have the design of your child's favourite superhero printed on it. 

We see at ACC that this does a huge amount for the self-assurance of children with arm prostheses. Children can show their own style and are really proud of their prosthesis. Not for nothing is the Hero Arm the most popular bionic arm prosthesis among children.

Sports arm prostheses for children

For children who want to play sports and exercise, our children's orthopaedics team also makes special sports arm prostheses. These are always adapted to the sport your child enjoys. After all, every sport has different requirements and characteristics. We make sports prostheses for children at Amputee Care Center that are suitable for swimming, cycling, horse riding, tennis, goalkeeping in football and skiing, among others. We design special 3D digital sockets in our printing lab and make sure the prosthesis is sturdy and easy to use. So your child can fully participate and have fun playing sports!

Arm prosthesis testing for children and teenagers

At Amputee Care Center, we design and make paediatric arm prostheses for children and teenagers with an amputation or congenital upper limb defect. To do so, we like to work closely with your child's paediatrician paediatrician and paediatric rehabilitation team. A good arm prosthesis, hand prosthesis or finger prosthesis can make a big difference in a child's life. Think of simple everyday things like writing, eating, dressing or just playing. In our specialised prosthesis centre, we explore all kinds of possibilities, where children can also test an arm prosthesis. Together with parents and the multidisciplinary paediatric rehabilitation team, we look for the best prosthetic solution.

Reimbursements for children's arm prostheses

We see in our prosthetic centre that parents are often concerned about the cost of an arm prosthesis for their child. Fortunately, most of our arm prostheses are fully reimbursed by Belgian mutual health insurers and (fully or partially) by Dutch health insurers. In the Netherlands, this may depend on your policy and your child's situation. Our team will be happy to take these procedures off your hands completely. We arrange reimbursement and inform you about the possibilities. This way, you and your child can focus on choosing the best prosthesis and getting used to it. Together, we make sure you know exactly what you are entitled to and maximise reimbursement.

Second opinion arm prosthesis child

Are you in doubt about your child's current prosthesis or would you like to meet another prosthetist and get advice on new options? You can come to Amputee Care Center for a completely free and no-obligation second opinion consultation. We will listen carefully to your and your child's wishes and together see which solutions are best suited. For a second opinion, feel free to contact us, we will be happy to help you!

Come and meet Amputee Care Center

We cordially invite you and your child to a free, no-obligation introductory meeting at Amputee Care Center. Together, we will take the time to discuss the situation, hear your wishes and show you all the possibilities. Over a cup of coffee, we will look at which arm prosthesis, hand prosthesis or finger prosthesis best suits your child. Our experienced specialists are ready to guide you every step of the way, so you can make the right choice with confidence. We look forward to meeting you!

Book an introductory meeting

Book an introductory meeting with a delicious cup of coffee!

Contact us by completing the Contact Form or by calling +32 (0)470 500 888.

We are at your service.

Frequently asked questions about arm prostheses for children

We have answered some frequently asked questions for you here. Please contact us if you have any further questions about children's arm prostheses. We are at your service!

Who decides which arm prosthesis my child gets?

Every child is unique and so are parents and teenagers. The decision on the type and timing of prosthesis is usually made in consultation with a specialised rehabilitation team; the paediatrician, rehabilitation doctor, occupational therapist and orthopaedic instrument maker prosthetist. Nowadays, at the Amputee Care Center, we see more and more parents and young people taking matters into their own hands and doing their own research. This is to make an informed decision on the choice of arm prosthesis for their child or themselves.

From what age can my child receive an arm prosthesis?

From 6 months to 1 year, in our experience, most children start having their first passive arm prosthesis. Mechanical prostheses are suitable from about 2 years and myo-electric prostheses from 3 years. We are steadily building up the use of bionic prostheses. Most children have a bionic prosthesis by the age of 8, but they can also be switched later. The age partly depends on your child's development.

Does an arm prosthesis grow with my child?

Children grow quickly, which is why we make paediatric prostheses that can be easily adjusted. 3D printing technology allows us to produce lightweight and customised sockets and attachments, so that the prosthesis remains comfortable and fits perfectly as it grows.

Is an arm prosthesis for my child painful or uncomfortable?

An arm prosthesis for a child is not supposed to be painful, but it may feel uncomfortable at first. Pain with arm prosthesis varies from child to child and depends on factors such as the type of prosthesis, the fit, and how used to it the child is.

Our prosthetists ensure that the arm prosthesis is custom-made with a comfortable fit. We pay great attention to wearing comfort so your child can use the prosthesis without pain and use it for as long as possible, throughout the day. If your child's prosthesis hurts or is uncomfortable do not hesitate to contact the Amputee Care Center!

How long will it take my child to get used to the arm prosthesis?

Most children get used to an arm prosthesis within a few weeks to months, depending on their age, motivation and the type of prosthesis. Every child is unique, which is why we guide you step by step to increase wearing comfort and build up the use of the prosthesis.

Good guidance, a comfortable fit and playful exercise help speed up the process. With patience and positive encouragement, the prosthesis will become a natural part of everyday life.

Do we get help with arm prosthesis reimbursement?

Yes. We are happy to help you apply for reimbursement through your health insurance, health insurance fund or mutual insurance company. The application and approval process (authorisation) can sometimes be complex, but our specialists will guide you through the entire process. We have been recognised by all Belgian mutualities and supplier to most Dutch health insurers for over 60 years. So we know what the options are and how things work!

Why are you so well-known among children with prostheses?

The paediatric orthopaedics team at Amputee Care Center (ACC) by Spronken is so popular because of our highly specialised approach to arm prostheses for children. We combine our expertise in designing and making prostheses for children with collaboration with universities, teaching hospitals a multidisciplinary teams, orthopaedic surgeons, paediatricians, rehabilitation doctors, occupational therapists, psychologists and orthopaedic technologists, all over the country, ensuring personalised and child-centred treatment. In addition, the ACC is known for its experience in innovative prosthetic technology and its own orthopaedic workshop in Genk. Our innovative prostheses, good aftercare and long-term customised follow-up gives parents confidence in their child's care. In doing so, we are also known as a second opinion centre for parents and children with an arm prosthesis.

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