• Welcome
• Modern Prosthetic Art & Science
  • Overview
  • The Laws of Physics…and electronics, too
  • The Prosthetic Socket
  • Prosthetic Socket Construction & Materials
• About Modern Artificial Legs
• The C-Leg®
• About Modern Artificial Arms
• About Us
• David Sisson Profile
• Find Out About Madison, WI

Upper Extremity Overview

As alluded to elsewhere, while cosmetic realism is still important, the real worth of an artificial arm is measured by how much it improves the patient’s ability to conduct the activities of daily living. This is why externally powered, microprocessor-controlled artificial arms are often fitted by advanced practitioners of Prosthetic Art & Science.

In such an arm, microprocessors allow the patient to control multiple motions of multiple joints simultaneously: shoulder, elbow, wrist, and fingers. This provides for more natural-looking, less “robotic” movement of the arm, affording better control, and thus providing enhanced utility and consequent quality of life.