The Laws of Physics…and electronics, too

Modern prosthetists create artificial limbs by paying close attention to the Laws of Physics, exploiting force and leverage to augment the patient’s natural movement.

Leading-edge prosthetists take it to the next level: working with surgeons, physiatrists and physical therapists to add sophisticated electronics to the mix. They prescribe and fit externally powered, microprocessor-controlled prostheses that respond to a patient’s movement and/or remaining nerve endings, causing the artificial arm or leg to imitate the response of a natural limb.

Obviously, such advanced technology requires exceptional expertise and sophisticated collaboration among one’s prosthetist, physicians, and rehabilitation specialists, which brings us to another important point:

Even the most technologically advanced artificial limb can be rendered virtually useless if the prosthetic socket is poorly designed, constructed, or fitted. This is the part that connects the artificial arm or leg to what remains of the patient’s natural limb, and can be a source of discomfort or even pain, causing the patient to wear his or her artificial limb for only short periods of time—if at all.