Healthy Memphis: Prosthetics improving to replace lost limbs, parts

What you should know

The loss of an eye, foot, arm, breast or other body part is unfortunately too common.

Prostheses are artificial devices that substitute for a missing or removed body part. Examples include external parts like artificial legs, arms and hands. Other artificial parts can be implanted. They may include implanted eye lenses, inner ear (cochlear) implants, heart valves, spinal discs, breasts, hips, knee and ankle joints, jaw joints and more.

The number of people needing artificial parts has greatly increased. Modern medical methods have helped many people who would have died quickly in the past. Advanced treatments have saved many patients who must function after surviving accidents, military injuries, infections, cancer, circulation problems or birth defects.

The U.S. obesity and diabetes epidemic is expected to increase the number of amputations of legs, feet and ankles.

Limb loss is a global concern. Citizens and soldiers in war-torn countries suffer from explosive land mines and fighting injuries decades after the wars. Thousands of Haitians lost limbs after the 2010 earthquake. The Rotary Foundation with many other kind groups and individuals funded the cost of artificial limbs for many affected Haitians.

History shows the use of prostheses 3,000 years ago. Great progress has been made since the days of heavy wood parts with leather straps, peg legs and iron hook hands. New materials, better designs, and high-tech devices are improving the function and look of parts. These include lightweight but strong titanium or carbon fiber pylons (the internal core of limbs), plastics and foam that look and feel like skin, and bionic feet using electronics and robotics. Myoelectric limbs are becoming common. Surgeons can now reroute an injured limb’s nerves (targeted muscle reinnervation) to a place like the chest which can be controlled by a patient’s mind to move a part of a robotic limb.

Prostheses are not yet as perfect as healthy body parts. However, artificial parts can help people do many things well if they have the energy, stamina and willpower to learn to use the parts well.

After many World War II injuries, there was an increased focus on improving the relationship between the wounded human body and wearable technology and artificial parts. Our government, university scientists and engineers, and medical professionals continue to study how people perform tasks to guide the development of even better prostheses.

The prosthesis is a custom-fitted part, similar to eyeglasses, dentures or hearing aids. The prosthetist (expert in artificial parts) along with doctors and therapists must evaluate a person’s individual needs, size and abilities. A person’s lifestyle, work requirements, and usual physical movements are evaluated.

Fitting for an artificial part takes several steps. Patient training is also vital for successful use of an external artificial part. For lower limb replacement, it is important to understand the likely amount of future walking, sitting, stair climbing, grasping, swimming, exercising, and running. An artificial lower limb requires more energy to walk than a natural limb.

Prosthetists guide patients on how to take care of an artificial part, how to put it on and take it off, and how to handle emergencies or activity when the part is off. Many patients who lose a leg learn to use crutches for nighttime trips to the bathroom. Patients learn how to take special care of their body where a part is used as well as their general health.

What you should do

Work to stay as healthy as possible. Most people can function quite well after the loss of a body part, but only if they keep themselves fit. A good prosthesis can restore many of the abilities lost after an amputation.

Study all your options after the loss of a part or limb. Consider your goals, budget, insurance and overall health. In many cases, people have several options. For example, a woman might opt for breast reconstruction or a prosthesis. A person who loses a leg might want crutches, a wheelchair, an artificial limb or all three. A person might need an attractive cosmetic artificial limb for some occasions and a special-purpose limb for sports.

Make your artificial limb or part a success. Choose a certified prosthetist who gives good service. Be sure the part fits well. Get it modified if your size changes or it hurts. Keep your prosthesis clean. Check daily for blisters or irritation.

Stay informed about advances in prosthetic technology. Keep up communications with care providers. Past problems with an artificial part are not a prediction of future problems when new and better options become available.

Practice using of your artificial limb or part. Get physical therapy after an amputation.

For more information

Visit; for eye loss;; and for breast loss.
