Prosthetics: How They Work and What Types There Are

A strange man in a white coat comes up to and asks you if you want a specially engineered robotic hand that will be modified and tailored specifically to you. Tempting offer? Think twice before you accept, that man was just a normal doctor trying to sell you his newly developed 3d printed prosthetic arm, is it worth giving up your hand for that?

Prosthetics are most commonly used by those who are missing a limb, sometimes for birth defects, and other times from surgical amputations. Usually a prosthetic limb will cost you anywhere from 10-100 thousand U.S.D., but some simpler ones you can get for around 5 thousand U.S.D. These things cost a fortune, but why? What do they really do? 

Prosthetics can replace your arm or leg if they are for some reason missing or unable to act properly. There are several types of prosthetics, the main difference between them is how they move and what their power source is. Some move manually, connected to your other limbs, these are the cheaper ones. Others move with controls and are powered by electricity, like a claw machine. The final type is the more expensive side, the myoelectric type follows the commands given by the electrical signals of your brain, and is the closest to a normal hand. These are better at doing everyday tasks and offer more control, greater grip strength and increased natural fluidity.

Remember to choose whatever fits your budget!