Prosthetics
Prosthetics are artificial limbs that can either assist or replace a loss of a limb or congenital abnormality. Prosthetic technology has come a long way in the past 20 years. Prosthetic technology usually only advances during times of war; this is a major reason why there has been so much advancement in the past 20 years. The U.S. pushes research to help the soldiers live the highest quality of life due to amputations during service.
Below Knee prosthetics are the most common type of prosthesis. They consist of a foot portion, ankle, shank, and socket. The socket is made custom to an amputee's limb, and gives the amputee control of the prosthesis. Below knee prosthetic users do very well with a prosthesis, many times resuming the same quality of life they had before the amputation.
Above Knee prosthetics are made with many of the same parts as below knee prosthetics with addition to a knee unit. There are many different types of components that can be used, activity levels of the patients often determine what components will be used. This can be derived from what the amputee did before the amputation; or it can be assessed through an evaluation. The more active the patient the more complex the components that can help assist the amputee. However, patients with lower level function usually find more comfort in the lower level components. This is because the components at these levels require much less physical activity and do much of the work for the patient. Lower level components are usually the most stable which provides the user with the most security