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The Main Parts of an Upper Limb Prosthesis

COMPONENTS OF AN UPPER LIMB PROSTHESIS (ARTIFICIAL LIMB)

Socket

  • The socket is the section of the prosthesis that will be in contact with the residual limb (stump)
  • It is important that the socket fits correctly or it will cause the limb to be uncomfortable, painful or cause skin irritation.
  • The use of silicone suspension as pioneered through lower limbs is now frequently used in upper limb design, hence less harnessing is required for suspension.

Harness

  • Holds the device to the uses body
  • In a mechanical device, the harness is used to open the hand/hook of the terminal device or move the elbow via an operation cord.
  • Straps are usually made of leather or fabric.

Elbow

  • Allows extension and flexion of the arm.
  • Body powered (mechanical) elbows can be flexed using a cable connected to a harness or by lifting and locking them with the sound limb.
  • Electrical elbows are available though not frequently used.

Terminal Devices

· There are three main types of terminal devices for the upper limb prosthesis: hands, hooks and specialised terminal devices.
Hands

  • Can be non-functional, such as a foam glove or rubber hand. (The picture on the right is of a non-functional hand)
  • They can also be body powered (mechanical) or electrical (myoelectric)

Hooks

  • Hooks allow easier manipulation of objects than hands

Specialised terminal devices

  • Non-grasping terminal devices i.e. ‘C’ Hook or Pool-Snooker rest
  • Grasping devices such as pliers or arm for cycling