LEIPZIG — Early decisions, sometimes not made by the patients, could
make all the difference in their lives down the line, according to Prof. Dr.
Hans Henning Wetz, who presented research here, at the 13th ISPO World
Congress.
Wetz explained that partial or full amputations have damaging effects
not only on a patient’s physical condition, but also their mental state.
He suggests further educating surgeons who perform amputations on the lasting
effects of their operating table decisions.
To do this, Wetz took a historical perspective.
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| Hans Henning Wetz | |
“If you aren’t familiar with history, you won’t be able
to decide the future,” Wetz said explaining where O&P has been and
where it might be headed. “Prosthetics developed quickly in the 19th
century on an international level.”
Without international congresses like this one, it was always hard to
see the disparities between technologies in well-developed and under-developed
countries, he said. However, one concept was common among all, “The idea
of functionality, this is what it’s all about. We have to be aware and
responsible.”
Wetz reminded attendees that their main job is to restore function, but
it is necessary to consider the psychological aspects involved for the patient.
“That is the difference between technical orthopedics and general
surgery,” he said. “You have to make sure function plays the pivotal
role. … You always have to keep the psychological aspects of the patient
in mind. Never forget, the human takes center stage.”
