ARTIFICIAL LIMB
By: Hossam El-din
PROSTHESIS
(also called a prosthetic limb, artificial limb, or limb
"replacement) is an artificially made substitute for a
limb lost through a congenital defect (present at birth),
accident, illness, or wartime injury.
type of prosthesis is designed
to be purely cosmetic and
has little function:
( artificial hands.)
Other prostheses are
highly functional
(artificial legs)
TYPES OF PROSTHESIS
There are four common types of prosthetic limb, which
replace either a partial or complete loss of an arm or
leg:
Below the knee (BK, transtibial):
lower leg attached to an intact upper leg.
Above the knee (AK, transfemoral):
lower and upper leg, including aprosthetic knee.
Below the elbow (BE, transradial):
A prosthetic forearm.
Above the elbow (AE, transhumeral):
lower and upper arm, including a prosthetic elbow.
PROSTHESIS ‘S PARTS
A prosthesis consists of a number of different parts :
The prosthetic limb itself
The socket (the connection between the prosthetic
limb and the patient's body)
The attachment mechanism
The control system
ORTHOSIS
It is an external device applied to body parts to :
1.Provide support or stabilization
2.Improve function by restricting
or assisting motion
3.correct flexible deformities
4.Prevent progression of fixed deformities
5.Reduce pressure and pain by transferring load from
one area to another.
CLASSIFICATION OF ORTHOSES
Static orthosis: Dynamic Orthosis:
1-Hold a body part in a 1-allow or create joint
fixed position and do not movement.
allow joint movement.
2-hold the joint in the
2-Some do not contain proper position while
joints. assisting movement
3-Can maintain the using springs, rubber
joint at a particular bands .
angle, providing support 3- useful forpatients who
(wrist splint). have weakened muscles
4-May include or limited
attachments (perform neuromuscular control.
functional activities eg. 4-For patients who have
for pens or eating handicapping conditions.
utensils )
GENERAL FEATURES OF PROSTHESES
AND ORTHOSES
1.Lightweight
2.Durable
3.Acceptable appearance
4.Easy to maintain and clean
5.Easy to don and doff
6.Adjustable to accommodate changes
MATERIALS USED IN PROSTHESES
AND ORTHOSES
1.Metals: stainless steel, aluminum alloys
and titanium
2.Plastic: thermosetting and
thermoforming
3.Leather
4.Fabric: cotton, wool , polyester ,nylon
5.Wood ( for shoe lifts and arch supports)
6.Rubber : natural , synthetic
7.Adhesives
PRINCIPLES OF LOWER LIMB
ORTHOTICS
1-INTRODUCTION:
When designing an orthosis, care should be given to the
principle that :
1-The still existing motions must not be restricted more
than is necessary and that the patient is secure.
2-The position of the orthotic joint axes will have to be
chosen in such a way that they match the body axes as
perfectly as possible .
3-At each joint which does not coincide with the natural
joint, new "shear stresses" will appear which are contrary
to the natural motion and therefore limit it.
2-FRONTAL PLANE CONSIDERATIONS
In Central Europe it is customary to integrate the foot
part in the shoe.
In Anglo-Saxon countries the foot part is often attached
onto the outside of the shoe .
The shoe and the foot support have to form a unity with
the level floor, i.e. the support in the shoe and the shoe on
the floor have to have a solid base, so the patient gains a
feeling of stability.
3-CONTROL OF THE HEEL
the heel must be slightly flattened on the plaster
positive model.
The plaster is added to
the side to give the calcaneus
enough room .
it is important that this
should be in the shape of
a flat surface and must not be left round.
4-ALIGNMENT OF THE FOOT
SECTION
o A strategic point in the construction of
the foot section is the lateral
positioning of the support in
relationship to the ankle.
o The plumb line of the leg and of the
orthosis coincide with the plumb line
of the foot part.
o Correctional position is a great help
in holding the foot.
THE KNEE
To correct a valgus knee or a varus
knee, correctional forces above and
below the knee must be applied.
The positioning of the counter
pressures on the hip and below the
knee is also very important .
a decision must be made between a full
correction and the freedom of
movement.
if the patient is a child, choose
correction; if he is an adult, choose
movement.
THE HIP AND THIGH
The main principle to be
retained for the hip and thigh
is: avoid any free-play
between the orthosis and the
leg.
The weaker the muscles of the
hip joint, the tighter the
orthosis must be fitted above
the knee.
THE STATICS OF THE STANDING
POSITION
A body is in equilibrium when
the plumb line emerging from
the center of gravity of the body
runs through .
the base of support. The
equilibrium remains
if the center of gravity raises
when the body changes position
To be continued……..
