While modern prosthetics have come a long way since they were used on the battlefield by French surgeon Ambroise Pare, the field is constantly evolving to provide more comfortable, efficient, and life-like artificial limbs for patients. In this hunt for improvement, prosthetists have invented newer and better ways of creating prosthetics. Here's a breakdown of the key differences between the different ways prosthetics are produced and the benefits of each so that you can make an informed decision about which type is right for you.

How Are Prosthetics Produced?

When most people think of prosthetics, they think of a wooden leg or an arm made of metal. But these days, prosthetics are so much more than that. With advances in technology, prosthetics can be made to look and feel like a real limb.

The first step in making a prosthetic is to take a mold of the limb. This can be done by using plaster casting, 3D scanning, or even just taking a simple impression with putty. Once the mold is made, it's sent to a lab where the prosthetic will be created. In the lab, technicians will create a medical-grade silicone socket that will fit over the residual limb.

A drawback of this method, however, is that neither plaster casting nor 3D scanning can take into account how the body bears weight onto the prosthetic leg. Symphonie aqua system prosthetics, however, is a casting system that recreates the process of bearing weight, so the experience of walking and using the prosthetic leg is more natural and, in turn, more comfortable for the patient.   

Traditional prosthetics have been around for centuries, but they are constantly improving. From carbon fiber blades produced for elite athletes to the realistic prosthetics produced by newer innovations, the field of prosthetics has come a long way.

Ultimately, the decision of which type of prosthetic to use comes down to personal preference. If you want a smaller, lighter prosthetic that closely mimics natural movement, then something like the Symphonie Aqua system prosthetic may be right for you. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more affordable option, traditional prosthetics may be a better choice.

Thanks to technological advances, prosthetics not only look like real limbs but also move and feel like them. If you need a prosthetic, talk to your doctor about what type of production method might be right for you and your needs or click here for more info.

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