If you lost part or all of one of your arms, you can purchase a prosthetic to fill the space where your arm used to be. When it comes to choosing a prosthetic arm, there are actually different kinds of prosthetics for you to choose from.
Upper Limb Prosthetic Type #1: Passive
A passive prosthesis is lightweight and made to resemble a regular arm. It is made from a special silicone mixture and is generally painted to match the skin color of the person wearing the arm.
The purpose of a passive arm prosthesis is to provide stability by giving the wearer an arm on both sides. Some passive prosthesis have joints that can be used to change the position of the passive prostheses. A passive prosthesis is not designed to move on its own; it is designed to look like a false arm and provide balance and stability for the wearer.
Upper Limb Prosthetic Type #2: Body-Powered
A body-powered prosthesis is designed to allow you to move the prosthesis as if it is a real limb. The movement of the artificial limb is achieved by cables and harnesses that are controlled by movement in another part of one's upper body, such as one's shoulder or chest.
A body-powered prosthesis is designed to allow the user to regain some of the function that they lost when their arm was removed.
Upper Limb Prosthetic Type #3: Electricity-Powered
Another type of upper limb prosthetic that is gaining popularity is electrically powered arm prosthesis. These artificial limbs use battery-powered motors to control the movement of the limb. Oftentimes, sensors are attached to another part of the upper body in order to control the electrical movement of the limb.
These limbs tend to have a more mechanical look, but modifications can be made to give the limb a more natural look.
Upper Limb Prosthetic Type #4: Activity-Based
Another type of prosthetic is one that is designed to allow one to do a specific activity. These types of artificial upper body prosthetics are usually designed for people who work in a particular career or like to engage in a specific hobby that they wouldn't be able to do fully without a special arm.
If you have lost the use of an upper limb, there is a wide range of different types of prosthetics that you can invest in that will provide you with increased function. From passive limbs that provide more support and balance, to electricity-powered limbs controlled by sensors to activity-based limbs, there is a prosthetic out there that will fit your needs.