Transhumeral Amputation
Pronunciation: trans-HYOO-mer-ul
Amputation through the shaft of the humerus, resulting in loss of the forearm and hand while retaining part of the upper arm; historically called 'above-elbow.'
Full Definition
A transhumeral amputation removes the arm at a level through the humeral shaft, preserving the shoulder joint but eliminating the elbow, forearm, and hand. Because the elbow is lost, prosthetic fitting is considerably more complex than for transradial users. Editors must not confuse it with 'shoulder disarticulation,' which removes the entire arm at the glenohumeral joint. The term appears frequently in rehabilitation medicine reports, prosthetic justification letters, and functional outcome studies.
Usage
Usage note: Preferred over 'above-elbow' in formal documentation. Always confirm amputation level before standardising to this term.
In Context
- "The prosthetist noted that a transhumeral amputation at mid-shaft offered adequate lever arm length for a body-powered prosthesis." — Prosthetic evaluation report
- "Confusing 'transhumeral' with 'transradial' in a letter of medical necessity can result in incorrect L-code submission." — Editorial quality-control checklist