About Prosthetics

What is a Prosthetic

A Prosthetic or commonly known as an artificial limb is a device used to replace a body part. A prosthetic may be required due to congenital conditions, trauma, or disease. The prosthetic is made of different sections. The socket is the outer surface of the prosthetic and covers the residual limb. Think of the socket as the frame of the prosthetic, providing the structure and firm support. The socket is custom fabricated and designed to each amputee. The socket is normally constructed of laminated fiberglass and a carbon fiber combination. The laminated fiberglass and carbon fiber produced a lightweight and durable device. Typically a soft interface is designed to provide a comfortable and protective interface between the residual limb and socket. The soft interface is a combination of foams or gels. The bottom of the prosthetic includes a sole, creating a stable contact with the ground during weight bearing activities.  The use of straps may be used to assist with suspension of the prosthetic. 

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How is a Prosthetic Made

The process of getting a prosthetic for your pet starts with the evaluation. A evaluation helps determine the best type of prosthetic design and interface. Design factors include: size of the pet, limb length and condition, range of motion, activity level, and other commodities. Next, a cast is taken of the residual limb. The fiberglass cast is the negative model used to create a positive plaster cast model. The cast is modified to relieve any potential pressure points, and optimize suspension. A soft interface can be fabricated directly over the cast. A test socket is normally fabricated prior to the finished prosthetic. The test socket is a temporary socket used to check the fit and suspension of the prosthetic. Alignment is checked on the test socket. A test socket can be fabricated out of a polypropylene or copoly plastic for ease of modifications. After verifying a proper fit and suspension the definitive socket is completed. A combination of laminated fiberglass and carbon fiber is used to create the socket. The so