Orthopedic Prosthetic Devices; Provide Support to a Damaged Bone or Replace Missing Joints or Bones

 

Orthopedic prosthetic devices are designed to prevent or manage musculoskeletal problems, while orthotics support or straighten weak joints or limbs. Prostheses or prosthetic is a medical device designed to support a damaged bone or to replace a missing joint or bone. The implant is fabricated using titanium alloys and stainless steel for strength and the plastic coating that is done on it acts as an artificial cartilage. Orthopedists use various orthopedic prosthetic devices to provide support to a damaged bone or to replace missing joints or bones.

Most commonly, orthopedists use prostheses for knees and hips, allowing the patients to regain full range of motion, pain-free, in a relatively short amount of time. In December 2020, The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Osseoanchored Prostheses for the Rehabilitation of Amputees Implant System, for those who have transfemoral, or above-the-knee, amputations and who have or are anticipated to have rehabilitation problems with, or cannot use, a conventional prosthesis.

Orthopedic prosthetic devices involves the use of prostheses (artificial limbs) to enhance both the function and lifestyle of persons with limb loss, caused by disease, trauma, or other medical conditions. There are several types of orthopedic prosthetic devices, such as upper extremity prosthetics and lower extremity prosthetics. Upper extremity prosthetics include shoulder prosthetics, elbow prosthetics, and hand prosthetics, and lower extremity prosthetics include hip prosthetics, knee prosthetics, and foot & ankle prosthetics.

Other orthopedic prosthetic devices include sockets, liners, and modular components. There are many reasons why people might require assistive devices such as prosthetics and orthotics. The main difference between prosthetics and orthotics is that while an orthotic device is used to amplify an individual's limb, a prosthetic device is used to completely replace a limb. In short, a prosthesis, or orthopedic prosthetic device, is defined as an externally applied device used to replace wholly, or in part, an absent or deficient limb.