Shriners Children’s Ohio and Lexington Collaborate to Create Custom Devices for Burn Survivors Living With Limb Differences

Two Shriners Children’s facilities are collaborating to meet the needs of children who have a limb loss due to a burn injury.

Kim Perkins, PT, manager of rehabilitation services at Shriners Children’s Ohio, called on Eric Miller, manager of Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services (POPS) at Shriners Children’s Lexington, to create custom orthotic and prosthetic devices for burn survivors living with amputations.

“Eric has a lot of experience and thinks outside the box when it comes to prosthetics, so I knew he could help a couple of our patients who have amputations,” Perkins said.

Although Miller has experience creating devices for children with orthopedic conditions, he said children with burn injuries are unique.

“I have to be mindful of their skin grafts to make sure I’m not attaching anything that would rub or irritate the skin,” Miller said.

Miller met with several patients, including 6-year-old Nathaniel, who lost both of his lower arms from a fiery car crash.

Miller and Perkins both observed Nathaniel playing in Ohio’s therapy gym to see how he interacts with toys and uses his limbs as they are now. He will also speak with the patient or family about what they’re goals are.

“Sometimes they want to play a specific sport or do a specific hobby,” Miller said. “Or sometimes it can be as simple as wanting to eat by themselves.”

POPS staff create a wide range of devices, including shoe inserts, braces, and artificial limbs for both the arms and legs. Most of these can be created in a matter of days rather than weeks, and like all care at Shriners Children’s, any devices are provided regardless of a family’s ability to pay or insurance status. The POPS team at Shriners Children’s Lexington can also make minor adjustments and repairs on-site.

The two Shriners Children’s facilities are less than three hours apart, so Perkins said in-person collaboration is easy on the families and staff.

“It’s great to have someone close by that takes an individualized, creative approach to helping kids reach their full potential,” Perkins said.

Watch Eric and Kim talk more about collaborating on providing world-class burn care.