Partial hand amputation can have a tremendous range of impact and functional loss on a person's life. One solution to improve function and address some of the problems that partial hand amputees face is to fit them with a prosthesis. Partial hand prosthetic devices range in a wide spectrum in both function and aesthetics. At this time, there is no one, perfect prosthetic device that can replace what is lost. Many individuals with partial hand amputation require more than one prosthetic device. In this review article, we explored and compared several prosthetic options that have been investigated and marketed by researchers and companies. Some of these options include passive, bodypowered, activity-specific, and externally-powered prostheses. Lastly, we described our experiences with partial hand prostheses at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

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A 79-year-old man consulted his doctor because of dysarthria, dysphagia, blurred vision, pain in the left eye, and pruritus accompanying shooting pains in the left V2 dermatome distribution. After admission to the hospital, the patient's symptoms worsened to include bilateral lateral gaze palsy and ptosis. Non-contrast CT scan of the head, CT angiography of the head and neck, CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis, autoimmune panels, lumbar puncture, and infectious disease titers were all negative. There was a persistent absolute neutrophilia, polypharmacy resistant hypertension revealed to be caused by renal artery stenosis, an M-spike on SPEP determined to be MGUS, and a 6mm noncalcified pulmonary nodule on the posterior aspect of the right upper lobe accompanied by a 2.6cm carinal mass, which was then attributed to lymphadenopathy. The patient underwent seven rounds of plasmapheresis, which led to complete resolution of his cranial nerve symptoms by hospital day 24. 45 days later, the patient noticed the onset of similar progression of cranial nerve involvement, and was admitted again after presenting to the ED with the complaint of severe nausea and vomiting. Two weeks into his second hospital stay, he was treated with an additional five rounds of plasmapheresis, without considerable improvement. He was then transferred to a different hospital, where a PET scan was performed, revealing hypermetabolic right subcarinal lymphadenopathy and a hypermetabolic right upper lobe nodule. The nodule was biopsied and revealed to be sarcomatoid carcinoma. Setting: In-patient neurology wards.