High-tech prostheses allow amputees to run marathons, compete in triathlons and live productive lives. These new prostheses are changing the lives of people who have lost limbs in car crashes and work accidents or through other serious injuries and diseases.

How do prosthetics improve quality of life?

A prosthetic is an artificial limb that replaces a missing body part. Its goal is to replace as much function of the original limb as possible. At the very least, a prosthetic should help an amputee take care of necessary daily activities such as eating, walking and being able to get dressed on their own.

What is the impact of prosthetics?

Increased prosthetic usage is associated with higher levels of employment [22], increased quality of life [23], decreased phantom limb pain [22], and lower levels of general psychiatric symptoms [24].