In this Section:

• Dealing With Amputations
  • Advantages
  • Challenges
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Outreach & Education
  • Prosthetics
    • Adaptive
    • Comfort
    • Driving
    • Myo-electric
    • Passive
    • Static

Other Sections:

• Introduction
• About Amputations
• Dealing With Amputations
• Discrimination
• Famous Amputees
• Personal Accounts
• Interactive

Dealing with Amputations: Prosthetics

A prosthesis is an artificial device that replaces a missing part of the body. The first prosthetic device is thought to have been created between 2750 and 2625 B.C. during the fifth Egyptian Dynasty. The earliest written record of a prosthesis was made around 500 B.C. when Herodotus wrote about a prisoner who had escaped from chains by cutting off his own foot and running away. Later, the prisoner was found to use a piece of wood as a replacement foot, or prosthetic.

In 1529, A French surgeon, Ambroise Pare, was the first to use amputation as a life-saving course of action in medicine. He also was one of the first to create scientifically-produced prostheses.

Prosthetics are very helpful tools. Prosthetics enable amputees to perform activities that he or she otherwise might not be able to do. Prosthetics can be simple, without any electricity. They can also be used for cosmetic reasons alone. Some prosthetics help people perform tasks, and some have attachments which are task-specific. Depending on the person, different prosthetics help a person live the life he or she aspires to have.