History Of Prosthetics

Prosthetics are used by people that are born without complete limbs and who have had amputations due to war, diseases or accidents to function and be seen as a “whole” by the society. Throughout the years, since the first invention, people have been developing and enhancing limb prosthetics to produce a device that would be functional and aesthetically pleasing for people who have had amputations. There are many materials that have been used to manufacture limb prosthetics, such as wood, copper, and bronze, but nowadays, lighter materials, namely carbon fiber are being used for comfort. Because of prosthetic enhancements, the perceptions of people toward amputees have shifted from negative to positive; people are becoming more appreciative rather than

The first prosthetics that have been recorder were used by the Egyptians in 950 B.C. to 710 B.C. to look whole and anatomically complete, rather than being functional. In 300 B.C., an artificial below the knee limb made out of iron and bronze with a wooden core was found in Italy. This was later called the Capua leg. Most of the prostheses around the middle ages were made out of iron, bronze, or wood, but they did not look like a normal limb; instead, the prosthetics used before looked like pegs or hooks (Norton, 2007). Also, prosthetics were only given and fitted to those people who could afford them and needed them for battles, such as knights. Knights were given and fitted prosthetics not for functionality, but to hold up their shields and for battle purposes. During the renaissance period, steel and copper have been incorporated to make prosthetics. After the World War II, wooden and leather prosthetics were made, although there were many caveats regarding the materials used. The prosthetics were too heavy and the leather absorbed too much perspiration, thus, making it hard to