Prosthesis

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Also known as “donning” prosthesis is a commonly known type of replacement or artificial body limb of a former limb. When one is beginning the process of being fitted for a prosthetic he or she would begin by having measurements taken. If possible the prosthetist might begin taking measurements before the amputation of the limb. The doctor and prosthetist also might meet before surgery to discuss last minute details about the operation. Several weeks after surgery and after the wound has healed and the swelling has gone down a plaster mold is taken of what is left of the limb. This mold is then used as a template to test the fit of the prosthetic limb as the actual prosthetic is being built. Also while manufacturing the final prosthetic doctors tend to pay close attention to the structures of the patients residual limb. Including the locations of any muscles, tendons, bones, and the condition of the patients skin. Physical therapy after an amputation and fitting of a prosthetic device is extremely important. Therapy might focus on using your new prosthetic in everyday activities. Close attention is taken to the interface between the patients residing limb and his or her prosthetic socket especially since, on average prosthetic devices have a lifespan of about 3 years. After an amputation, a patients limb will typically shrink over the next several months as swelling goes down and muscle begins to either build or shrink from lack of use. it is possible that a new prosthetic limb may be made to fit the current size of the limb. A prosthetic must also work extremely closely with children due to the fact that they are slowly growing and changing size.

http://science.howstuffworks.com/prosthetic-limb3.htm