How Modern Prosthetics Work

Prosthetic limbs have existed since the time of the ancient Egyptians, where a working prosthetic toe of wood with a leather harness allowed the wearer to use the sandals of the time or to go barefoot. Prosthetics may be necessary because of missing body parts due to trauma, congenital conditions, or disease. Prosthetic limbs are designed to restore the missing body part's normal functions. Modern prosthetics are generally created with computer-aided design, but they can also be hand-designed. Of Americans, one in 190 citizens is presently getting along with the loss of a limb.