There was a time not too long ago when losing a limb in an accident or having one amputated left the victim permanently disable and left to cope with prosthetic devices that were merely non functioning representations of what was lost. I am sure we are all familiar with the peg leg and namesake hook of Captain Hook. For many years this was the most advanced prosthetic technology available and not much in the way of research was done to make anything better. For most of us with all our appendages intact that is for the most part where our thoughts stop as we tend not to think outside of our comfort zone when it comes to amputees unless we happen to know someone who has lost a limb. As prosthetic technology advanced artificial limbs began to at least look like the appendage they were supposed to replace even if they were still non-functional. Eventually these too were replaced with moveable devices that used muscle contractions to create some semblance of movement in claw like hands or allowed the person to walk with their artificial leg. Things stayed this way for many years, but those who suffered amputations were never ready to give up and say "Oh well, this is as good as it gets", instead they kept looking for better prosthetics that could do more and would allow the user to return to a more normal life. As they pushed and waited prosthetic technology advanced further and further alongside modern technology.

In many cases it was a matter of waiting for technologies to be developed before they could be integrated into prosthetic devices that would improve a person's life. For the most part advanced prosthetic technology was waiting for computer technology to become advanced and small enough to be used in prosthetic devices. It was not until recently, that processors became small enough, yet powerful enough to perform the millions of computations needs to provide the movement of an artificial arm and hand. The human hand has 27 bones and a myriad of muscles and tendons that make it work, therefore the processor had to be very powerful yet use very little power to do its job. Robotics is the other aspect of advanced prosthetic technology that had to catch up, the large scale robotic arms and hands used on assembly lines demonstrated that it was possible to mimic the human hand to some extent. However in order to be used as prosthetics they had to be miniaturized and more movement and functionality added while still requiring a relatively small power source. In the last few years the two technologies have matured and made it possible to create artificial limbs that are capable of imitating living human limbs almost flawlessly. If you would like to know more about advanced prosthetic technology like this you need to talk to one of the specialists at Ability PO. They specialize in helping match their patients with the most technologically advanced prosthetics available and are dedicated to making sure that every patient is treated with the care and dignity they deserve.