Prosthetic limbs enable people to carry out the daily functions of life with ease, as well as allow participation in sports and hobbies that help to create a well-balanced life. There are many different reasons why people may need a prosthetic limb, which is why there are prosthetic limbs designed with specific goals in mind.

Made To Blend With The Body

These goals depend on the needs of the recipient, the area that requires the prosthetic, and the primary function of the limb. For example, a cosmetic prosthetic limb can be explicitly designed for its appearance rather than its controllability. With the use of advanced plastics and pigments, these limbs can be created to match the patient’s unique skin tone with an amazingly life-like appearance. 

Function Over Appearance

Prosthetic limbs that are designed with controllability and function as the central purpose are typically designed with function as a primary centerpiece. The styles of high functioning prosthetic limbs can be more utilitarian, rather than made to mimic the look of an actual human limb.  

This can be seen in common prosthetics such as hands where the design needs to open close in order to grip objects or perform other related tasks. While the hardware may be covered with a glove-like material to appear more like an actual hand, it can also be left with hardware exposed depending on the desires of the recipient and their specific needs. 

Body Powered Prosthetics

Prosthetic limbs can be controlled in a variety of ways. Body powered limbs utilize cables that are connected to parts of the body that will control their movements. In this instance, a prosthetic arm may be manipulated and controlled by the opposite shoulder through attachments of cables. The shoulder movements control the prosthetic device, similar to how a hand lever on a bicycle controls its braking system.

Externally Powered Prosthetics 

With the use of motors to control movement, externally powered prosthetic limbs offer a variety of options for recipients. By integrating a series of switches and toggles, prosthetic limbs can perform a wide range of motions and tasks by using different sequences of switches.  

Myoelectric Prosthetics

Advanced technology has created smarter prosthetic systems that are designed for areas that experience a high concentration of maneuvers on a constant basis. These myoelectric prosthetics use electrodes to detect muscle contraction that then determines the movement to be made. These electrodes tell the prosthesis what to do just as the switch sequences do in the externally powered prosthetic. 

Designs That Fit Your Needs

The various styles of prosthetics depend heavily on the needs of the recipients, location of the limb, and range of motions that is needing to be performed. Firstcare Orthopaedics can provide you with information and consultation on the types of prosthetics offered and what will work best for you. Contact Firstcare Orthopaedics today to find out how you can gain your life back through advanced prosthetics.