Loss of any body part or its function, due to any reason, affects our daily working as well as mental health. While in some cases, the condition is irreversible, fortunately, in many, there are ways to get the functionality back. Prosthetics, as they are known as, are making the lives of millions of people easy even after they lose their limbs.
The earliest known functioning prosthetics, dates to the ancient Egyptian Civilization, as artificial toes were unearthed, that could bear almost 40% of body weight and help the person in walking. In recent history, James Hanger, a confederate soldier, and first amputee in the American Civil war went on to invent a prosthetic leg known as the ‘Hanger Limb’. It was made from barrel staves and metal and featured hinged joints at the knee and ankle. This slowly paved the way for more advanced prosthetics that focused on being comfortable to the wearer and help the overall functionality rather than focusing on just replicating the normal limb.
In recent times, 3D printing and Pressure sensors are dramatically changing the way prosthetics are made and felt by the patients. Functional prosthetics, generally need to be replaced regularly, depending on the nature of the work of the wearer. At times, the cost surge is very high and a demotivating factor. 3D printing has been pitched in as a cost-effective solution to such cases. They offer limited functionality than the highly advanced prosthetics but are much affordable. And if they continue to find the favor like they are, soon they can be the new face of prosthetics.
With pressure sensors, the aim is to make the prosthetics as real as possible. While prosthetics substitute the functionality of the lost limb, sensitivity is one aspect that they cannot provide. Especially used in prosthetic hands and arms, these sensors can make the wearers feel the shape and texture of objects they hold to a large extent.
In this edition of Insights Care, we present The 10 Leading Prosthetics and Orthotics Solution Providers to Watch that are striving to deliver better, more natural movement for patients through prosthetics that are effective and safe.
This edition features the Keep Walking Project, one of the most innovative orthopedic implant companies which develop devices that improve human performance and is at par with the market standards; MEND, an NGO and a Charitable Trust that helps people overcome their disabilities and become more independent and New Zealand Artificial Limb Service (NZALS), a Wellington-based organization that has built a global reputation as a developer, innovator and provider of prosthetics, and orthotic products.
Also, do go through the articles penned by industry experts and our in-house editors.
Stay Safe! Stay Healthy!