A Case for Body-Powered Hooks - Amputee Coalition

“We believe this innovation will particularlybenefit bilateral amputees who tendto favor body-powered systems and whoare most at risk for repetitive stress injuriesand fatigue,” says Veatch. If even greaterforce is needed, additional bungee bandsor common office-supply rubber bandscan be easily applied or removed withouta special tool or a trip to the prosthetist’soffice. This ability to change bands withoutassistance should prove especially helpful forthose who live in remote regions without easyaccess to an O&P provider.There are three other body-powered hooks onthe market that offer a choice of two selectablepinch force levels. The Sierra 2 Load Voluntary Opening Hook fromHosmer Dorrance Corporation (hosmer.com) permits pre-selection ofpinch force equal to 3.5 pounds or 7 pounds through a load selectorbutton on the thumb. Otto Bock HealthCare (ottobockus.com) makestwo versions of their Standard Two-Load Hook, which uses tensionsprings and a thumb lever selector to choose between a light or heavypinch force. Each version has a slightly different hook finger shape.I did not have the opportunity to test the Hosmer or Otto Bock hooksprior to writing this review of the V2P, but I would welcome the chanceto do so in the future.While similar in shape, length, weight and connection hardwareto a traditional farmer’s hook, the V2P incorporates some significantThe Otto Bock Standard Two-Load HookA flick of the small lever (usually done bybrushing against the leg) lets you selectbetween two different pinch forcesPhoto courtesy of Otto Bock HealthCaredifferences. Tension bands are strungacross the opening area of the hook,and while I expected them to get in theway of grasping large objects, I foundinstead they provide additional stabilityand some shock absorption, especiallywhen handling yard and garden tools. Thehook itself has a much beefier profile thanstandard hooks, and its extra surface areaadds stability when holding objects suchas drinking glasses or bottles. Replaceableelastic fingertips can be put on or removedeasily as needed to give firm, positive grip forslippery objects.I found these fingertips useful for pickingup coins, handling office papers and turning book pages. They alsoprovide a friendlier, scratch-free interface with the steering wheeland radio controls in my car. Rugged activities can make the fingertipscome off, and so, after searching through the garden to find them acouple of times, I recommend taking them off prior to shoveling, raking,etc.I find the V2P to be a welcome addition to my prosthetic toolbox.It comes in engineering polymer, aluminum and stainless steelversions, and can be purchased directly from PhysioNetics atphysionetics.org. Upper-Limb Perspectives is a column written by members of theACA’s Upper Limb Loss Advisory Council.