so long story short I was born with microtia on my right side ear , to fix it you have to had surgry which is so expensive , so the right decision was to have silicone prosthetic ear which they don't make in my country , so I found tutorial on how to make your own prosthethic ( it was vid on how to make silicone human part for movies ) the problem I'm facing right now is how the heck do I FLIP The left ear mold to become right ear ! do you guys have any idea on how to make that ?

Kinda a weird idea here but i wanted to see what y’all think. i severed a flexor tendon in my right hand so it’s completely immobilized. i’m a lefty so it could be worse but i HATE having this stupid oven mitt splint rendering my right hand useless. I’m thinking about building a small “hook hand” that straps to my wrist/forearm that extends a bit past my hand with a carabiner on the end. i’d have a small release mechanism so i could release the clip to let go (small wire running pinkie) i also drive a manual truck so it’s extra inconvenient having a bum right hand. recovery is about a month after surgery. anyone seen/done something like this?

So, I am currently a senior in high school and am thinking about perusing a career as a certified Prosthetist/Orthotist and before committing to this path I was wondering what the salary would look like, I saw online that the median pay is around 80k and I was wondering if that was accurate?

Hi,

I am just wondering for a project whether or not people are happy with their prosthetic sockets, as we have heard many pain points about sockets from amputees who use BTK sockets.

If you are unhappy with your socket, why are you unhappy with it? Conversely, if you are happy with your socket, why are you happy with it?

Feel free to answer as much and don't feel afraid to share all the details that entail a good/bad fitting socket, along with symptoms or consequences of both!

https://youtu.be/76lIQtE8oDY?si=AQQCpYylzCxETnZU

https://youtu.be/sk1NkWl_W2Y?si=iX88kBPpxPLovgAx

In both of these videos it seems like they both have far more advanced prosthetics than most other ones that ive seen. How come? Is it simply a matter of money, and thats all?

Hello, I am looking for career advice.

I’m in my mid-forties and looking to make a career change (from tech consultancy) to Prosthetics & Orthotics. 

I’m based in Sweden so I'm very lucky to have the Jönköping 'orthopedic engineer’ degree as an option - I’m planning to apply later this year for intake 2025.

I would really like some insight into career options after graduation - basically am I too old/will future employers think I’m too old etc? Roughly what could I make after graduation and after 5+ years. (I think some members on this sub are from Sweden??). 

I know its a big risk, changing careers and going back to the beginning, but I’m very seriously considering taking the leap and any extra info / view / feedback etc would be very much appreciated

Extra info if it helps

I’m 46 female
From UK, moved to Sweden 2022
Learning Swedish via SFI (currently around A2 - with aim to be C1+)
Completed Masters in Mechanical Engineering 2001 (never did anything ‘useful’ with it)
Worked in digital - web dev, tech, marketing etc 20+ years
Have worked for 2+ years in Sweden so can study for free & get CSN (from what I understand)

Calling all amputees in need of temporary or permanent prosthetic hands or arms!

My name is Ari Korpus. I run a chapter of E-Nable 3D out of Collegiate school in NYC. We 3D print and donate prosthetics to those in need, and we would love to help you. If you are in need of temporary or permanent prosthetic hands or arms for yourself, your child, anyone you might know please do not hesitate to let us know! We would love to help you!

Learn about E-Nable here: http://enablingthefuture.org

Do you agree with this statement? "There are many prosthetic options, so its easy to find one that is visually representative of me."

View Poll

I wanted to create an infographic to increase awareness of the structure of transtibial prosthetics. I know a few people who have them and they always talk about how overwhelming learning about all the parts is, and how little people know about it. I'm looking to get some feedback on what I created, as well as make sure what is in it is accurate! I don't have a ton of access to prosthetists in my area so I'm looking to the community to ask questions. All advice is welcome.

​

https://preview.redd.it/6xxybkxg0vuc1.jpg?width=6252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cb8cf4018df47c27c3452d161cfa081d95912741

Hi all!

I'm working on a community psychology research project, regarding the connections between mental health and a sense of community, specifically within people with physical disabilities. I would love to learn more about your experiences: https://forms.gle/AazfJ7z4zhKVV5MdA

Thank you, I greatly appreciate your input!

Hi guys, I decided to work on a startup that aims to create 3D printed prothesis with AI help to design them. The point is to make prothesis more affordable and geographically accessible for families that struggle (in any way).

If someone is available for a little interview (via chat, zoom, voice-call, ... you choose) would help me very much answering a few questions that I have in mind.

Thanks in advance :)

Hey all,

I just recently lost my middle and index finger down to the second knuckle due to a work related injury. Im still in sort of a state of disbelief, but i know im going to have to get some prosthetic fingies if i want to continue doing what i do for work. I’ve heard good things about naked prosthetics through the sub Reddit. But I also want to explore any other options I have. Any info/help would be appreciated.

I am hoping to make a partial prosthetic for a goat kid with a birth defect resulting in the loss of his front hoof. I was hoping to create a cast of the stump using fiberglass casting tape, then fill this cast with plaster, but all the heat-moldable plastic options that I have found on the internet are either wholesale or $50 per sheet. I was also planning to 3D print the bottom portion using durable filament, such as polycarbonate or PEI. I am hoping to make a temporary yet functional leg so he can become accustomed to having a prosthetic as he grows. Cost is definitely an issue. I have attached a picture of the little guy's stump as well as some reference goat prosthetics. Does anyone have any suggestions

https://preview.redd.it/d8x4p96fuauc1.png?width=868&format=png&auto=webp&s=e025706d9b7b1de0dfea028853032e5b06386d4d

https://preview.redd.it/d195y8jfuauc1.jpg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=080c4f9043b71b00d0118a2cc75bf5d730b4e5d0

Hi all, I'm a Y11 (I guess Y12 for the Brits out there) student in the IB, and I'm planning to write my academic extended essay (4000 words) for the following question:

How can additive manufacturing impact the design, efficacy, and accessibility of trans-radial, cable-operated medical prosthesis for low-to-middle income, children of city residents?

I was wondering if anyone could provide some feedback on perhaps the feasibility, whether it's realistic or not... of this question; or how I could reasonably investigate into this field.

I have an ambition to make an app prototype or system of some sort, to frame a more accessible way to customise prostheses at lower costs for children, as well as open-source joint models available to customise. Some points I identified were the costs, the lack of availability of prostheses that can adapt to growth, etc. (I may be wrong).

If you guys have any ideas/experience, I would love and appreciate any help. Thanks!

Hello I am a student working on his finals and was wondering if anyone who has the time to fill in this short form. Its a few questions on how was the beginning of your journey when you first got your prosthetic. All answers are anonymous but it would help if you can truly talk about your experience

https://forms.gle/ZisuK2WhUci2WhGg8

I wear afos because of spastic cerebral palsy. I have a hinged afo with a planter flexion stop with a smo on the inside I’ve cracked the sides near my toes again( second time this year ) well technically third but that one the hinges snapped off. I’ve had this one a month and I’ve already cracked both sides of the smo liner. My orthotist is really lost on what to do because this keeps happening. I’m wondering if you guys know why this happens or have any ideas do a better way to remedy it? I go to hanger clinic but these afos are made by cascade because I kept cracking the ones hanger makes.

My friends and me are actually writing a research paper on adaptive clothing and the importance of integrating adaptive clothing into brands' product offerings so we need collect data. So please help me by filling this google form as it will take only five to seven minutes. Extremely Sorry if any question by chance offends you in any way. Your email will not be recorded, neither your name or from where you are , it will be totally anonymous. So please fill this as it would be a great help. here is the link https://forms.gle/tFWFWLRMDjEjr7xt8

Okay, this might be a long shot, but here's the story about three years ago, when I was 21, a week after I started working at this moving company, I had a bad accident while driving a box truck. I was an inexperienced driver, and I fell asleep, which was pretty dangerous and irresponsible I know. Thankfully, nobody else was injured except me. I didn't really know what I was doing; I was kinda pushed into taking the job by my mom while I was starting to study to get my CDL.

Long story short, my arm broke through the glass while the truck flipped over, and I was unconscious. My arm almost got squished, but thankfully, I only lost a finger and some skin from my arm. This leads me to where I am now: I've been wearing long sleeves or sweaters ever since, and I want to get back in the gym and just wear regular shirts. However, I'm kind of ashamed of how my arm looks still, especially after the skin graft and the uneven skin patches, since some of my skin had to be removed at the hospital due to an infection I had while I was there.

To wrap it up, is there any type of sleeve I could get customized to my arm that sort of looks even, or something close to it at least? And thank you for taking the time to read this post.

Hi all,

A family member, who is a lifetime split hook user is wondering if there is a good way to hold their iPhone 15 pro with perhaps a MagSafe mount using their hook while using their free hand to zoom and operate the phone.

Please contribute if you have any experience or ideas.

We are a group of high school students who need help understanding the needs of users who use prosthetics. We are interested in creating a prosthetic arm project sponsored by our school and want to get a better understanding of the issues that people with prosthetics face. If you are somebody who is either an amputee or knows somebody who operates a prosthetic, what kind of challenges have you or they faced before you got your prosthetic, and which problems do you still face with your prosthetic?

We want to get a more in-depth understanding of some of the needs and opinions of amputees. All of our questions are optional but we would really appreciate your time and effort if you can help us have more success on our project.

Thank you

https://forms.gle/KShxjrFvS7iyHFG49

Has anyone tried going to the sauna without taking his prosthetic off? I am below the knee leg amputee, with vacuum-liner based prosthetic. Do you think it is safe if I go in like this

Hi I just wanna know how can I study master in o&p in germany? And can someone talk about the system there? Like what degree is needed to work in this field?

RBKA, as it is now sitting with my vacuum pump still on is pretty painful and when I’m wearing pants. I used to be able to stretch the bottom part of my outer liner to get some air in but I had to tape that down to stop it from stretching out. I’m getting a new socket soon so I’m not too scared of fucking this one up so if anyone has any of how to release the vacuum with pants on I’ll take it.

Okay so I'm soon entering the eyewear market and I will have to register as a medical device manufacturer with the FDA. I also enjoy working with composites. I was thinking of other ways I could make use of my experience with composites and prosthetics came to mind. I'd really like to manufacture prosthetics, but not design them. Does anyone here have experience contract manufacturing for them? Either as an employee or business person? Any insights at all?

so i have a character that plays bass, she’s around 14 years old and was born blind in one eye. i usually draw her wearing an eyepatch but would her using a prosthetic eye be better? also, how does it affect your daily life? i’m really excited to learn so i’m doing other research but i would love to hear personal accounts if that is okay

Curious if there are any favorite shoe insoles or technologies out there to use for prosthetic leg in regular hiking shoes/sandals. Ideally ones that help reduce impact and fatigue but also keeps the shoe in place. Thanks!

Ok I’m a RBKA and I have a willowwood limblogic that constantly looses vacuum from some mystery leak that keeps showing up and the outer sleeve opening up when I bend my knee. On top of that I have very sensitive skin on parts of my leg (skin graft) and the vacuum pump seem to annihilate that skin the second I get any volume lose (that the vacuum has no power stopping). I’m considering going back to passive vacuum to be able to get reasonable knee mobility back but does anyone have advice because I don’t know if I’m ready to give on the vacuum but there’s no way this thing can last more than a year, the app is dogshit, constant leaks mean a new liner every 3 months or 1 month this time, I can’t even get my knee to 90 degrees in this shit, and the vacuum pump makes a loud ass farting noise because of liner leakage. I know elevated vacuum is recommended for high activity and sensitive skin but it fell off when walking fast and makes my skin look like a minefield.

Anyways you guys got any recommendations or am I just gonna have to destroy my leg to walk on it