OSSEOINTEGRATIVE PROSTHETICS: OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES, AND PROSPECTS FOR ITS APPLICATION IN THE REHABILITATION OF PATIENTS WITH AMPUTATED LIMBS (LITERATURE REVIEW)

Abstract

Rehabilitation of patients with amputated limbs is a pressing medical and social issue in modern society. A novel method for partial restoration of limb function is osseointegrative prosthetics. Its main advantage lies in the fact that the implant allows mechanical loads and forces to be transmitted directly to the bone, whereas in traditional prostheses, they mainly act on soft tissues. Despite nearly 30 years of experience with osseointegrative implants globally, these technologies have not yet been implemented in either scientific or clinical practice in Ukraine. Objective. To conduct a literature review of the global practical experience with the use of osseointegrative prosthetics in patients with amputations and to identify its main features, advantages, and disadvantages. Methods. The information search was performed in the bibliographic databases PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Results. The analysis of literature sources allowed us to distinguish the main types of osseointegrative implants, which differ in terms of design, materials, and surgical techniques: either single-stage or two-stage procedures, and fixation by threading or press-fitting. The rehabilitation period ranges from 6 months to 2 years. Within the first two years, certain complications such as bone infections and skin inflammation should be expected. Hфowever, most of these pathological conditions can be effectively managed. Conclusions. Successful fixation of osseointegrative implants requires optimizing the patient’s bone, the prosthetic surfaces, and the ‘skin-implant’ interface. The implementation of these technologies requires multidisciplinary teams of specialists, including physicians, engineers, and rehabilitation experts. Osseointegrative implants significantly enhance patients’ functional abilities and quality of life, opening up greater opportunities for the use of bionic and robotic prosthetics.