Prosthetics are artificial body parts designed to restore function or appearance to a person who has lost a limb or body part due to an accident, disease, or condition present at birth. Prostheses can be used to replace missing limbs, joints, bones, heart valves, and other body parts. They can also be used to improve appearance, such as in the case of an artificial breast worn in a bra to replace a breast removed due to cancer.

Prosthetics can be made from a range of materials, including acrylic resin, carbon fiber, thermoplastics, silicone, aluminum, and more. They can be customized to help people achieve different goals, from simple mobility to high-impact activities like running and jumping. Advances in cushioning materials, prosthetic socket design, and component technology have significantly improved comfort and function.

Prosthetics can be fitted by a team of professionals, including a surgeon, prosthetist, physical therapist, physiatrist, occupational therapist, social worker, psychologist, and family members. Prosthetists are health professionals who specialize in prostheses and work with the medical team to design and fit the prosthesis and help the patient use it. They evaluate the amputees overall functional capabilities and develop a prosthesis treatment plan, which includes designing, fitting, fabricating, and adjusting the prosthesis and providing lifetime follow-up care to maintain the prosthesis and provide advice and instruction on care.

New developments in prosthetic limb technology include microprocessor-driven and activity-specific components, such as microprocessor joints that feature computer chips and sensors to provide a more natural gait, and specialized prosthetic legs for different activities like running, showering, or swimming. Prosthetists can help patients select the right components for their prostheses and modify them as needed.