Thankful for Options – A Guide to Different Prosthetic Devices

The loss of a limb would be frightening for anyone. Amidst all the consequential medical choices, adjustments, and bills, it’s easy to take the first prosthetic device you’re offered. A loss of mobility and ability can put us in the headspace of defeat, so what does it matter which prosthesis we ultimately accept? All our future plans have been ruined, right? Well, not necessarily.

At Above & Beyond Orthopedics in Grosse Pointe, MI, we’ve helped a lot of defeated faces beam with delight. When the right prosthesis is paired with the right person, a truly remarkable transformation occurs. 

As a woman- and minority-owned local business, we know what it’s like to struggle and endure. We’ve made it our mission to educate those in need throughout the Grosse Pointe and metro Detroit communities so that they know their full options when staring down life without a limb.

Types of Prosthetic Devices – An Above & Beyond Guide

As with so many other medical services and products, the price of a prosthesis is often directly related to its functionality. Depending on your insurance, chances are good that you were offered a flimsy cosmetic device or even no device at all. 

Despite what TV and movies think of prostheses, we’ve long evolved past the hooks and cheap rubber hands so often used for degrading, comical purposes. These are the types of prosthetic devices available to you on the market today. 

Upper Limb Prosthesis Types 

Adjusting to life without a hand, forearm, or arm can cause a range of frustrations. Firstly, there’s the simple absence, the damaged confidence and self-consciousness of feeling as though you “stand out.” Then, there’s the loss of ability to do even simple tasks at work or around the home. Thankfully, a range of prostheses exist to help you manage.

Upper limb prosthetic devices come in several categories. They are:

• Passive Prosthesis – These are cosmetic devices designed to look like actual limbs. By matching your prosthetic limb to your natural skin color, and adding detail and texture, passive prostheses can restore your confidence and comfort.
• Body Powered Prosthesis – Sometimes, all you need is grip. Body powered prosthetic devices rely on muscle contractions elsewhere on your body to operate a simple—but effective—gripping limb. These devices can help with simple tasks.
• Myoelectric Prosthesis – Myoelectric devices grip and articulate by using “electric” signals sent through muscles (“myo”). These are the more nimble options available today, providing both a range of movement and a range of ability.
• Other Upper Limb Prostheses – New devices are being created each and every month to restore as much functionality as possible. You can find variations on all the above listed devices, including cosmetic devices with some gripping functions and combinations of myoelectric and battery-powered devices. Ask about the newest options when you visit Above & Beyond Orthopedics!

Lower Limb Prosthesis Types

The physics involved in standing, walking, and running make replacing feet and legs a serious challenge. Thankfully, some truly sophisticated options exist to restore mobility and a greater sense of freedom. As with upper limb prosthetic devices, the types of lower limb prostheses range from simple to complex.

The type of lower limb prosthesis you need depends on the degree of amputation. The main categories are:

• Syme’s Prosthesis (Below the Ankle)
• Transtibial Prosthesis (Below the Knee)
• Knee Disarticulation (Through-knee or T.K.)
• Transfemoral Prosthesis (Above-knee or A.K.)

Once you’ve determined which prosthesis you need, you’ll choose a device based on the functionality you desire.

• Foot Prosthesis – For those seeking a below-the-ankle solution (or Syme’s prosthesis), a range of articulating blades and cosmetic feet exist, most of which are suitable for existing shoes.
• Knee Prosthesis – Available in simple, myoelectric, and microprocessor varieties, prosthetic knee devices can act as a simple hinge, use body power to bend or straighten, or even learn your natural gait for seamless mobility.
• Activity-Specific Lower Limb Prosthesis – For those who just can’t sit still, a full range of activity-specific prostheses exist to keep you on the go. From sprinting to hiking, swimming to biking, you can find a lower limb prosthetic device to match your lifestyle. 

How Can Above & Beyond Orthopedics Help You?

You don’t have to settle for an underwhelming or underperforming prosthetic device. Options exist to restore functionality and ability across a spectrum of desires or needs. When you’re ready to explore 21st-century prosthetic options, call us at (313) 631-1296 or contact us online. 

Proudly serving Grosse Pointe, MI, and the greater Metro Detroit area, we’ve made it our mission to provide you with the ability, mobility, and liberty you need to live a full and rewarding life.

Find Prostheses, Sockets, Liners, & Accessories in Grosse Pointe, MI!

The loss of a limb can be devastating. You’re allowed to grieve and recover. But after a while, you’ll want to get back out there to explore all that our beautiful world has to offer. When you’re ready to explore better, more functional prosthetic options, trust Above & Beyond Orthopedics to guide you every step of the way. Visit us today to learn more about our prostheses, sockets, liners, and accessories, or contact us online.