Limb Loss

limblossuser

        Limb Loss is the loss of all or part of an arm or leg. It can be due to many different causes such as trauma, infections, diabetes, etc. Based on statistics, around 2 million people in the U.S. live with limb loss, and 1 in 2000 babies are born every year with congenital amputation.
         There are two different types of limb loss: longitudinal and transverse. A longitudinal deficiency is when part of the limb only is missing, while a transverse deficiency is when the entire limb is missing.
         The main treatment for limb loss is the use of a prosthetic, and those come in two main types: myoelectric and body-powered.
         A myoelectric prosthetic is one that invasively uses electrical signals from the user in order to move. It is very functional, however it is also expensive.
         Body-powered prosthetics are more affordable than myoelectric prosthetics, but less functional at the same time. They allow the user some functionality through mechanical means, which makes them harder to use.