Prosthetic Arm Limitations
Prosthetic technology has been advancing quickly, especially with respect to prosthetic legs. New technology allows leg amputees to participate in many sports and activities that enhance quality of life. The same may not be true of prosthetic arm technology. While there are exciting efforts currently under development to create “bionic” arms, upper limb amputees still face many limitations in dealing with everyday life issues. The resumption of athletic pursuits with a prosthetic arm may often seem unrealistic.
Because the number of people with prosthetic arms is small, even relatively simple sports-related prosthetic arm modifications may not be available to the typical person. But it may be that, with a limited amount of funding and access to basic engineering resources, some useful arm modifications could be developed to allow those with prosthetic arms to enjoy some of the activities that were important to them before their amputation, or to take on new activities to enhance their life. For example, some engineering students at Duke University developed an arm modification that allowed a young man who lost an arm in Iraq to resume rock-climbing.
The Given Limb Foundation would like your ideas! Are there activities you would like to take on, if only your prosthetic arm had some modification to allow it? Have you made modifications to your arm to allow you to participate in sports or other recreational activities? Do you have information to share about how you or others you know have resumed athletic activities after an amputation?
We have learned that the Challenged Athletes Foundation has grants available to those who need assistance with equipment, travel, etc., in order to resume athletic pursuits. We welcome other ideas for funding as well as ideas for prosthetic modifications.
December 23rd, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Hello my name is Rehman Bhatti and i doing job in Saudi Arabia. I want ask, your foundation is for support to poor people in whole world. Because i have my friend. He lost his hands in a street fighting. During street finghting some body was cutting his both hand. Now he is yougman but can’t any thing. He can’t eat food. He can’t clean body. He can’t do somthing others.Sir he is very poor person. If i send to you his data. Can you foundation support to him for Bionic Hands.
January 5th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
Really nice post, Thanks again for a nice site.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:22 am
Thanks again for a nice site.