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Everything you need to know about Prosthetic limb

The loss of a limb is both traumatic and life-changing. While the results of amputation don’t affect the masses, for those who have lost an appendage in active combat or from a health concern such as diabetes or cancer, the prospect of amputation and life without a limb is daunting. However, doctors and specialists have risen to the occasion. With the rapidity at which technology has advanced, clinics have now been formed across the world to create artificial limbs in hopes that they will aid in the health and lifestyle recovery of amputees.

What is a prosthetic limb?

Prosthetic limbs are created to fill the space of the previously existing arm or leg and, in some cases, replicate its function. In Utah Prosthetic legs, for instance, are custom made and are fitted so that the patient can put pressure on it and use it to walk as though it were a real leg. Anciently, artificial limbs were made of wood, (i.e., the iconic “peg leg”) but are now more commonly made into plaster casts with sockets for maximum comfort.

What is involved in the process of creating prosthetics?

While various clinics and specialists will use different techniques in the creation of their artificial limbs, doctors will initially meet with the client in person before creating the faux limb. During this introductory appointment, specialists will either consult with the patient at their functioning clinic or will come to their location; home or hospital. Professionals will examine the limb socket, and they will often have clear plastic molds for sampling so they can examine the precision of the fit. Fitting technology also varies, but either a frame is cast with plaster, or a 3D scan will be taken to begin the custom creation of the prosthetic appendage.

Artificial limbs have been handmade, but this creates extra work and waste from production. More recently, prosthetics in Murray are constructed with vacuum technology over the mold cast from the patient’s fitting. With the rise in 3D printing, however, more specialists are using 3D printing to quickly and efficiently build artificial limbs. 3D printing is achieved by the plaster being thinly sliced by the printer, where the material is thinly layered and fuses in the design from the patient’s 3-dimensional scan. By utilizing this technique, specialists can achieve personalized, optimal results in a fraction of the previous time.

Once the artificial limb is complete, doctors will once again meet with the patient to ensure the fit and counsel them on options for physical therapy and repairs to the prosthetic as it wears out with use. Some clinics will request to meet with for routine check-ups afterward as well.

Where can I get an artificial limb?

Prosthetic clinics are scattered virtually across the globe. Once such clinic, Mobility Prosthetics, operates out of Salt Lake City for the Western United States and regularly services Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, and Idaho.