Adolescents with congenital limb reduction deficiency: Perceptions of treatment during childhood and its meaning for their current and future situation.
Lis Sjöberg, Liselotte Hermansson, Helen Lindner and 1 others
PMID 35043417WHAT IT FOUND
Ten adolescents with congenital limb reduction deficiency described early surgery, prostheses, devices, training and counselling as creating options, though some later stopped using devices.
They felt both confident and uncertain about work and adult care.
Key findings
01Early treatments were described as creating opportunities to develop body function, use a prosthesis or use assistive devices for activities.
02Some participants stopped using prostheses or devices but still valued the early experience because it left future choices.
03Participants expressed confidence in their future capacity, but also uncertainty about what adult healthcare would be available.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Only 10 adolescents were interviewed, and most came from one clinic, so views from other clinics or regions may differ. The study used purposive sampling and a small qualitative design, so it cannot show how common these perceptions are. Participants described treatments received during childhood, and the analysis reports perceptions rather than measured treatment effects. Surgery, prostheses, other devices, training and counselling were often given together, so the contribution of any single component cannot be separated. All participants had received treatment, so the study says nothing about adolescents with CLRD who did not receive early treatment.
Declared interests
The authors report no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these themes as proof that surgery, prostheses, other assistive devices, training and counselling caused better function or better life outcomes. The adolescents received several treatments together, and the study only reports their perceptions, so it cannot separate the contribution of any single component.