Prostheses, more commonly referred to as prosthetics, are artificial body parts designed to replace limbs or organs that have been lost.
Basic prostheses have been crafted throughout human history, largely due to loss of a limb in war or while at sea. Originally, these were used primarily with a view to disguise, or to enable very basic tasks. However, more recently much work has been done to develop prostheses performance.
Recent technological advancements have led to a revolution in terms of the fit, form, and function of prosthetic solutions. Alongside successful amputation claims in the case of traumatic accidents, practical prosthetics that look and work like real limbs are vital in enabling amputees to continue living independently.
Explore the transformation of prostheses over time and the remarkable capabilities that they provide today.
The History Of Prosthetics
Incredibly, the history of prosthetics in medicine dates back millennia. These objects were mentioned in early literature, and there is a written record of prosthetics being used in Ancient Greece and Rome.
For centuries, the purpose of prosthetics was simply to fill the gap where the limb once was. An example is the replacement hand fashioned for Roman general Marcus Sergius that was used purely to hold his shield in battle. Similarly, a wooden toe that was unearthed in Cario and is believed to be the oldest example of a prosthetic would have provided balance but no flexibility.
Early Advancements
It was not until the early-16th century that major advancements were made in prosthetics.
Ambroise Paré, French military doctor known for his innovative amputation techniques, is credited with the first hinged prosthetics. He invented a mechanical hand and a prosthetic leg with a knee that could lock. This enabled prostheses to perform some of the actions of human body parts.
Once anaesthesia was introduced in the Victorian era, surgeons could take more time and care over amputation. This meant that the stump could be carefully shaped to be worn with a prosthesis.
Hygiene was also better understood during this period once cholera was associated with contamination, and much care was taken to keep medical spaces free of germs. Sterilising surgeries saw the success rate of amputations soar, increasing the demand for quality prostheses that combined appearance and performance.
Prosthetics And Technology
21st-century technology has caused the second major revolution in the development of prosthetics.
High-quality substitute limbs can be manufactured perfectly and at speed through the use of 3D printing. This is lowering the cost of prosthetics, making them more accessible to poorer countries where amputees are financially challenged due to social stigma regarding limb loss.
3D printing has also been used to make the price of prostheses more manageable for families with children who are amputees. Slightly adjusted replicas can be created in-line with the child’s growth, providing continuous comfort at a fraction of the price of the original design.
The most astonishing recent breakthrough was when researchers at the University of Utah created a robotic arm that can be connected to the nervous system. This field is known as neuro-robotics because it aims to unite the mind and the body with the fitted limb.
By attaching the device to remanent nerve endings and embedding electrodes into the surrounding muscles, they managed to restore the sensation of touch. In other words, this device can be controlled with your thoughts and send signals back to the brain – just like the original hand.
The Future Of Prostheses
While we cannot be sure what the future of prosthesis development will bring, the last few decades have demonstrated that it is certain to be bright. Neuro-robotics remains a focus for researchers around the world while everyday prosthetics are being produced with improved fit and far superior performance.
