Student Research Symposium Program Portal: Submission #198

Abstract Prosthetics worldwide are evolving rapidly with the emergence of new technologies. Put simply, prostheses are artificial devices used to replace a missing limb. Prosthetics provide an opportunity for individuals who were born without a limb to experience the convenience of an additional hand or leg, while offering amputees improved mobility and restoration of their limb. Everything in prosthetics is highly engineered, from optimizing the aesthetic appearance to the function or material. With the focus on certain aspects of these devices, there is often a trade-off with other qualities that are particularly lacking. Passive prostheses, for example, prioritize aesthetic or realistic appearances with a lack of functionality in the way that the patient is able to pick up objects or move. These tradeoffs often influence depression in patients post-amputation and are correlated with self-worth. Through evaluating the best fit prosthetic for the patient as well as the optimal time window, this research will help bridge the gap of patients' recovery process. This research aims to evaluate and define prosthetic qualities and the reasons why a patient might dislike or discontinue usage of prostheses. I collected data through evaluating previously conducted research studies and made connections that bring to light a new perspective.