Spatial acuity after digit amputation

Abstract

Digit amputation in human and non-human primates results in reorganization of somatosensory cortex in which the representations of adjacent, intact digits expand to fill the cortical region previously devoted to the amputated digits. Whether this expanded representation results in improved sensory performance has not been determined. Consequently, we measured the ability to recognize small objects (raised letters) with a digit adjacent to the amputation and the same digit on the normal, contralateral hand in 15 amputees. The same digits were also tested in 15 age-matched, amputation-free subjects. There was no significant difference in recognition scores between digits in the amputees or between amputees and control subjects. More detailed analyses of specific confusion patterns and of the improvement with practice showed no significant differences. As far as we could determine, the cortical expansion that is presumed to accompany digit amputation had no effect on tactile pattern recognition performance.