I Need a Hand Trivia Quiz

Answer: several weeks

If possible, measuring and sizing of the prosthetic begins before the limb is amputated. Once the limb is amputated, the site must heal and the swelling subside before the prosthesis is fitted. The type of fitting is defined by both the amputation needed and the functionality expected from the prosthesis.

Answer: prosthetist

The prosthetist should ideally have a wide variety of interrelated knowledge in engineering, anatomy, physiology, and psychology. Each limb is unique to the individual amputee. An artificial limb is not the same as a healthy original limb, but can provide a measure of independence and capability for the amputee.

Answer: Transradial and Transhumeral

A transradial prosthesis would replace an arm that was missing below the elbow, the transhumeral prosthesis would be used if the elbow were missing. The transhumeral prosthesis that includes movement of the elbow socket is a much more complicated device.

Answer: cosmeses

Cosmesis generally refers to cosmetic surgery to repair a visual defect. In the realm of prosthetics, it refers to the appearance of the artificial limb. Many of these are ready-made as a less expensive option to improve the aesthetics of an amputee's appearance. This can be an important part of the amputee's psychological recovery and normalization of their self-image.

Answer: cables or harness to other body parts

These devices can be made of a combination of materials, generally with the hand represented by some form of pincer or hook device. This type of prosthesis can require a goodly amount of physical therapy and training your body, for example, moving the opposite shoulder could the be trigger to open or close a pincer.

Answer: cost

The myoelectric arm is the predecessor for more advanced robotic arms. For some, it is a boon. However, some amputees claim that they are too expensive, prone to failure of individual parts, heavy, noisy, and often slow to respond.

Answer: i-Limb Hand

Many of us became familiar with the word "bionic" through the television episodes of "The Six Million Dollar Man" and "The Bionic Woman". Some of the advantages claimed by the i-Limb are that: all five fingers articulate independently, rotatable thumb and wrist, and controllable grip strength. I found this website to be very interesting and the capabilities intriguing.

However, some of the other websites for amputees claimed that it didn't work as advertised and was too expensive--many amputees reported that insurance will not pay at all or only minimally for advanced prosthesis devices.

Answer: allotransplantation

Allotransplantation "is the transfer of an organ or other tissue between genetically different individuals of the same species" says "The Free Dictionary" by Farlex. The recipient must be given immunosuppressive drugs to counteract the body's tendency to reject the new hand. Many amputees believe that they can accomplish the activity of daily living (ADL) without the need for this surgery.

Answer: within a couple of years

Because there is no feeling, damage can easily occur while the amputee remains unaware. In addition, the electrical and mechanical parts are knocked about, get wet, or fail from other unexpected conditions.

Answer: Open Prosthetics Project

The project is setup to facilitate collaboration between users, designers and folk with money for development. In addition, it has sections on the history of amputations and prostheses, links to various manufacturers of prosthetic products, and links to discussion groups.