Prosthetics Services
Upper Extermity
Upper Extremity
We fit upper limb prosthetics for amputations from partial hand to shoulder level, choosing the type of arm or hand that fits your daily tasks, your job and your goals.
Choosing the Right Upper Limb Prosthetics
A mechanic, an office worker and a parent may each need something different. We help you weigh function, appearance, weight and maintenance to find the best fit.
Amputation Levels We Fit
- Partial hand & fingers: Restores grip and appearance.
- Below elbow: Transradial prosthetic arms.
- Above elbow: Transhumeral prosthetics with mechanical or powered elbows.
- Shoulder: Lightweight, supportive shoulder-level prostheses.
Types of Prosthetic Arms
- Cosmetic: Lightweight and natural-looking.
- Body-powered: Cable-controlled, durable and low maintenance.
- Myoelectric: Battery-powered hands controlled by muscle signals.
- Activity-specific: Attachments for gym, sport, tools and hobbies.
Case Example: Daan’s Myoelectric Prosthetic Arm
A war veteran’s path back to independence
Daan was a soldier in the Angolan Bush War when he was seriously injured in an explosion. All four of his limbs were affected, and ultimately he lost his right arm below the elbow (a transradial amputation) and his left arm above the elbow (a transhumeral amputation).
After a long series of lifesaving surgeries, Daan entered the military’s physical rehabilitation programme, where he had to learn to be independent again. Part of that journey was being fitted with his first prosthetic arms.
Why a body-powered prosthesis was no longer an option
Daan was first fitted with body-powered prosthetic arms. These work through a cable system anchored around the shoulders, much like a backpack harness. He was regaining his independence when a serious complication developed.
After extensive investigation, his medical team found that small fragments of shrapnel still under the skin of his upper body were reacting to the friction from the harness, particularly around his left shoulder and upper residual limb. As a result, there was, and still is, no prosthetic solution for his left arm.
This also affected his right arm. A body-powered below-elbow prosthesis needs a harness anchored around the opposite shoulder, and Daan’s left shoulder area could no longer be used for harnessing.
Choosing a myoelectric below-elbow prosthesis
The solution was a myoelectric prosthesis for his right below-elbow limb. A myoelectric arm is controlled by the electrical signals of the user’s own muscles, picked up by sensors in the socket, so no shoulder harness is needed.
Daan rehabilitated well with his myoelectric arm and shows excellent muscle signals and control. He also trialled the i-Limb Quantum bionic hand from Össur. He found it fantastic, but chose to stay with a system he knew well.
A new myoelectric arm with a silicone inner socket
Our practice fitted Daan with a new entry-level myoelectric prosthetic arm featuring a full silicone inner socket. Daan describes the comfort as truly phenomenal compared to anything he has worn before.
What this fitting gave Daan:
- Harness-free control of his prosthetic hand through his own muscle signals
- No friction on the shoulder area that had caused his complications
- A comfortable silicone socket he describes as the best he’s ever worn
- Familiar, reliable function in a system he trusts
It was our pleasure and honour to assist one of our war veterans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a myoelectric prosthesis?
A battery-powered arm or hand that uses signals from your muscles to open and close.
Body-powered or myoelectric?
Body-powered arms are robust and simple. Myoelectric arms move more naturally but weigh more and need charging.
Can children get prosthetic arms?
Yes. They’re adjusted or replaced as the child grows.