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prosthesis

A prosthesis is a medical device used to replace an organ or body part. These are usually made of plastic, carbon, leather or metal and are intended to replace the function of the limb to be replaced as fully as possible. In most cases, the use of a prosthesis is necessary due to an accident and a related amputation. However, one may also be needed due to congenital deformities or because of disease. There are prostheses that merely replicate the appearance of a body part and others that are also capable of replacing the function of the missing body part.

On the one hand, a distinction is made between exoprostheses, which are attached outside the body, such as an arm prosthesis. On the other hand, there are endoprostheses. These are permanently inserted into the body and completely enclosed by tissue. These are not obvious at first glance. An example of this would be a hip joint prosthesis.

The overriding medical goal of a prosthesis is to give the patient back his or her freedom of movement and to spare him or her as many restrictions as possible in everyday life. The service life of a prosthesis is strongly dependent on the stress and the materials. For this reason, prostheses should also be subjected to regular checks by a doctor. In addition, prostheses, like orthoses, must be individually adapted to a patient’s physique.

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