Prosthetics is the assessment, production, and custom fitting of artificial limbs, known as “prostheses”. Prostheses enhance the function and lifestyle of persons with limb loss, which they may have lost through trauma, disease, or congenital conditions.
Upper-limb prostheses address reaching, grasping, and other occupational challenges, while lower-limb prostheses provide stability in standing mobilization and other physical activities. Prosthetic rehabilitation is primarily coordinated by a prosthetist and an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals including psychiatrists, surgeons, physical therapists, and occupational therapists.
Prosthetics are commonly created with CAD (Computer-Aided Design), a software interface that helps creators visualize the creation in a 3D form, and they can also be designed by hand. Prosthetic limbs are usually made from a variety of metals, polymers, and carbon fibers.