History of Prosthetics

Ancient Greece and Rome through the Dark Ages

For more information, please visit prosthetic foot for sale.

The earliest proof of prosthetics comes from a 3000-year old Egyptian mummy, who was found with a prosthetic toe made from wood and leather. Roman scholars describe warriors who used wood and iron to fashion artificial legs and arms.

The Dark Ages saw only limited progress. The devices created were used more for cosmetic coverage than for providing function and comfort.

The Renaissance and the Industrial Revolution

In the 1500s, Ambroise Paré, a French surgeon and army barber became the father of modern amputation and prosthetics by fashioning prosthesis with harnesses and knee lock controls. Softer, lighter, and more pliable materials such as leather and paper were introduced.

Some highlights of technologies introduced during the Industrial Revolution include non-locking below knee prosthetics, the “Anglesey leg” supported by catgut tendons, limb conserving surgeries, and use of lighter materials such as aluminum instead of steel.

The U.S. Civil War and the World Wars

One of the major contributions to modern prosthetics was the J.E. Hanger patented “Hanger Limb” in 1871, a fallout of the U.S. Civil War. The company he founded, Hanger Inc., remains a leader in prosthetics to this day.

In contrast, the greater focus on military technology during the two World Wars was not matched with progress in prosthetic technologies. In 1945, the National Academy of Sciences set up the Artificial Limb Program which initiated organized research in the field.

Modern Prosthetics: Leaps and Bounds Ahead

In 1975, inventor Ysidro Martinez, an amputee himself, changed the standard of prosthetics by developing a limb that was designed to improve balance and reduce friction. This ushered a new wave of technological advances designed to provide superior human functionality and comfort.

Today, light and strong materials like carbon fiber have changed the game. Before his fall from grace, Oscar Pistorius was the “Blade Runner”, the first double-leg amputee to compete in a summer Olympic Games in 2012. Additionally, the beginning of 3D printing has introduced a new era of collaborative design.

Want more information on single axis joint? Feel free to contact us.

So, while loss of limb remains a serious matter, modern options are finally allowing people to live normal lives like never before.

Premier Surgical Prosthetic Center in Knoxville is at the leading edge of prosthetic care today. Our team works closely with surgeons  to develop a complete, customized solution for the needs of each individual patient to restore both vitality and function. If you are planning to undergo amputation, or if you are in need of a new prosthesis, call 865-474-7096 or schedule an appointment online with the team at Premier Surgical Prosthetic Center today.

The

A 3000-year-old mummy was recently discovered sporting a prosthetic big toe. The wooden toe had been meticulously fit to the woman’s foot, with attachment straps designed for comfort. The craftsmanship was extraordinary; the toe could even flex. The toe is one of the oldest examples, but from pirates’ peg legs to Tycho Brahe’s metal nose, replacement body parts have a long and inventive history.

Even before the toe’s discovery, prosthetics were known to be ancient technology. Replacement body parts are mentioned prominently in the classical literature of multiple cultures. The mythical Greek hero Pelops, accidentally ingested by the Gods, sported an ivory shoulder after his reconstruction. Herodotus mentions warriors with wooden feet, and there are examples from Asia and Rome as well.

There are archaeological examples to back up the literary. Teeth, for example, preserve well and many partial sets of false teeth, many Etruscan in origin, have been found. Etruscan bridgework consisted of animal teeth, or even (gulp) someone else’s human teeth, connected to intact teeth with a metal band. But the most famous European prosthetic is the Capua Leg, discovered north of Naples, dating from 300 BCE. Made of a wooden core sheathed in bronze, the leg was hollow near the top, presumably to accommodate padding for the owner. Thin rods and straps helped secure the limb in place. The bronze sheeting resembled the shin armor of soldiers, possibly suggesting that armorers rather than medical personnel built it. A hollow section at the ankle was probably designed for a separate foot, which was never discovered.

Fast forward 2000 years to what can only be described as the steampunk era of prosthetics. In France and Switzerland, from the late fifteenth through the nineteenth centuries, a variety of custom-designed limbs were built. Made of combinations of wood, metal, leather, and other materials, some of these designs were truly fantastic. Controlled by cables, gears, cranks, and springs, these limbs could be rotated and bent. There were prosthetic fingers made to grip objects. The limbs were not completely practical, as they had to be operated by a different hand, but they had their uses. For example, a hand could be cranked shut around a pen or fork. Flexing, spring-loaded legs were also available. These fantastic objects were ahead of their time: cable control was a precursor to the standard post-World War II design.

Following those early designs, prosthetic limbs improved by leaps and bounds. World Wars I and II, as well as other large-scale conflicts, such as Vietnam, unfortunately increased demand for prosthetics, leading to improvements. Now replacement limbs can be made out of state-of-the-art materials and designed specially for different applications. The most expensive limbs can even be controlled by thought, almost like a real limb. Progress since the days of wooden toes has been and will no doubt continue to be astounding.

The company is the world’s best sach foot parts supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.