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1) Cosmetic arm Prostheses are used to restore the outer appearance.

• They are preferred by patients whose outer appearance is of crucial significance.

• The functional possibilities of cosmetic arm prostheses, however, are limited.

• The advantage of this type of prosthesis is that they are suitable for all amputation levels.

• They may be particularly suitable for high amputation levels, when functional prostheses are declined or when missing functions cannot be replaced.

2) Body-powered arm prostheses.

• Also called active prehensile arms.

• The prosthetic functions are controlled with the amputee's own body power, for example from the residual limb and/or a shoulder girdle.

• A cable control system is usually used to move the prosthesis.

• In most cases it runs from the prosthetic arm around the patient's back and is then looped around their shoulder.

• In this way, targeted movements of the sound shoulder or of both shoulders will open the prosthetic hand or hook.

Prosthetics, Orthotics

& Footwear custom manufactured for

Patients at our practice

in Parktown, Johannesburg.

3) Myoelectric-controlled Prostheses

• These are externally powered prostheses. Myo is a derivative of the Greek word "myo" (=muscle).

• With any contraction of a muscle, a biomechanical process creates an electric potential which can be measured on the skin.

• This is also true for muscles remaining after an amputation.

• These very low potentials, which are used to control the prosthesis, are measured in microvolts.

• In most cases two electrodes are used to take the most suitable muscle potentials from the residual limb.

• These signals are amplified and used as control impulses to open, close and rotate the electric hand.