Upper Limb

The continuum of prostheses we fit at Orthopedic Arts Laboratory, Inc. ranges from mostly passive or cosmetic types on one end to primarily functional types on the other. The purpose of most prostheses falls somewhere in the middle. Cosmetic prostheses can look extremely natural, but they often are more difficult to keep clean, can be expensive, and usually sacrifice some function for increased cosmetic appearance.

Functional prostheses generally can be divided into the following 2 categories:

•         Body-powered prostheses – cable controlled
•         Externally powered prostheses – electrically powered (myoelectric or switch-controlled prostheses)

Body-powered prostheses

Body-powered prostheses (cables) usually are of moderate cost and weight. They are the most durable prostheses and have higher sensory feedback. However, a body-powered prosthesis is more often less cosmetically pleasing than a myoelectrically controlled type is, and it requires more gross limb movement.

Externally powered prostheses

Prostheses powered by electric motors may provide more proximal function and greater grip strength, along with improved cosmesis, but they can be heavy and expensive. Patient-controlled batteries and motors are used to operate these prostheses. Currently available designs generally have less sensory feedback and require more maintenance than do body-powered prostheses.