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Upper Limb Prosthetic Devices

*This page is intended to provide a basic understanding of prostheses - all decisions about types of prostheses should be discussed with prosthetists and doctors before final decisions are made

Upper Limb Technology Options

No Prosthesis

  • Preference for some – it is perceived as natural and individually adaptive

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  • Introduce adaptive strategies

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  • Incorporate assistive devices

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  • Watch out for overuse of the sound limb

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  • Consider social stigmas (with and without prosthesis)

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Electrically Powered Prosthesis

  • Also known as an Externally Powered Prosthesis

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  • Incorporates motors and batteries that provide movement and power

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  • May use Myoelectric Operation, Muscular Contractions, Tag Systems, or Pattern Recognition

Passive Prosthesis

  • Also known as a Passive Aesthetic Functional Prosthesis

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  • Looks like a natural arm, hand, and fingers

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  • Can be used functionally

    • Surface for stabilizing

    • Gentle weight-bearing

    • Ability to carry objects

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  • Can have a static hand or manually moveable/multi-positional joints

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Hybrid Prosthesis

  • Combine body-powered and electrically powered components

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  • Sometimes improves functional outcomes

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  • Typically, most useful for higher levels of limb loss

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Body-Powered Prosthesis

  • Incorporates a system of cables, harnesses, and manual controls

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  • Gross movement of the upper arm, shoulder, and chest used to control a prosthesis

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  • Sensory feedback – awareness of the position of limb and degree of opening of a terminal device

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  • Robust

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  • Provides basic function

Activity-Specific Prosthesis

  • Also known as a Task-Specific Prosthesis

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  • Specific to diverse activities/tasks

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  • Increase participation in work, sports, hobbies, and other specialized activities

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(Latour, 2015; Arm Dynamics, n.d.)

Terminal Devices

Terminal Devices May Be...
Voluntary Opening or Voluntary Closing

*User works to open

*Strength depends upon elastic bands

*User works to close

*Strength depends upon users' strength

(Latour, 2015)

Hook

  • Typically voluntary opening

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  • Allows grasping and squeezing objects

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  • Increased visual feedback

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  • More precise for picking up small objects

Prehensor

  • Typically voluntary closing

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  • Allows grasping and squeezing objects

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  • More precise than a hand for picking up small objects, but less precise than a hook

Hands

  • Less functional, but look more realistic

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  • Typically offer a 3-jaw chuck grasp

Activity-Specific

  • Varying terminal devices may be available for specific tasks, such as cycling, fishing, golfing, batting, catching,  gardening, etc.

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*Disclaimer: There are many terminal devices and upper limb prosthetic components on the market today. These drawings show some of the basic components, designs, and features of common devices. Not all devices will look exactly like the ones pictured.

REFERENCES

Arm Dynamics. (n.d.) Prosthetic options. https://www.armdynamics.com/our-care/prosthetic-options

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Latour, D. (2015, May 4). Series: Upper Limb Prosthetics. [On-Demand Webinar]. OccupationalTherapy.com https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/ot-ceus/course/upper-limb-prosthetic-series-2441

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