The Upper Limb Library / Introductory Articles

Myoelectric prostheses use batteries and are ultimately controlled by input from electrical signals generated by muscles in the residual limb.

People who are engaged in manual labor at their work or around their home may favor the durability and function of body-powered prostheses.

If you are looking to replicate the look of the human hand, a passive prosthetic device is a great option. Some passives contain joints that can be moved.

An electric terminal device (ETD) is a catchall name for a hook type of prosthesis that opens and closes. They are are rugged and, usually water resistant.

Here is a quick guide to many of the words you may encounter during the process of getting your prosthetic device.

TMR is a surgical procedure available to upper limb amputees that can help alleviate pain issues and provide better control of a myoelectric prosthesis.

Spoon Theory is a metaphor that can be used to discuss how much energy a person has each day. Learn more about how it applied to amputees.

Trauma can cause damage to a nerve resulting in swelling of the nerve or a jumbled overgrowth of nerve cells which is called a neuroma. Learn more.

The pain that you may be feeling after your amputation may not be phantom limb pain at all. In this article, we discuss reasons for pain, and how to mitigate pain.

In this article, we provide the resources you need to be able to evaluate any upper limb prosthetist, including what certifications they should have.