Finding the right prosthetic hand or arm.

Typically, users and their prosthetist will work together to identify and select the best possible components for a prosthetic hand or arm. You’ll have the opportunity to provide input on your needs and preferences, but it’s important to follow your prosthetist’s recommendations.

The prosthesis you take home — sometimes called a “definitive fitting” — should always be assembled by a prosthetics professional. This mobility specialist has the expertise to ensure that all the components are securely connected, appropriately aligned, and configured to help you use your hand or arm as successfully as possible.

For your safety, you should always purchase a prosthetic hand or arm from a licensed provider. The specialists at these facilities have the expertise needed to ensure your prosthesis is appropriately assembled, correctly aligned, and ready for secure, confident use.

No, in most cases you will not technically be restricted from purchasing prosthetic components that are not covered by your government or insurer. However, you will be responsible for paying any portion of the purchase cost that’s not taken care of by those payers. That may mean paying part of that cost when your insurer only covers part of it, or paying entirely out of pocket when your insurer doesn’t cover a component you prefer.

No, many people with an upper limb difference find that they can confidently, safely, and independently manage their daily activities without two hands — including both amputees and individuals with congenital limb differences.

For many individuals, though, a prosthetic hand or arm provides important support for their mobility, independence, and professional life. These devices may be especially important to consider if your limb difference makes it difficult or impossible to perform essential tasks or important activities you rely on every day. That may include both job responsibilities and personal care, as well as any other necessary things that you’re unable to do without two hands.

In addition to physical support and mastering everyday tasks, many users also get important emotional and psychological benefits from their prosthetic hand or arm. The right device can help you adapt to life after limb loss, rebuild your confidence, improve your self-esteem, and simply help you feel better about how you look.

If you think you may need a prosthetic hand or arm, talk to a professional prosthetist about the options that are best suited to your needs, and that are most financially feasible for you.

While individual circumstances will vary, most above- and below-elbow amputees should ideally begin the prosthetic fitting process as soon as possible after their physical rehabilitation.

Your prosthetist will start by fitting you with an interim socket, which will enable you to get a feel for your new prosthesis while the size and shape of your residual limb are still fluctuating. This temporary device also helps your prosthetist dial in the fit and configuration of your final or “definitive” socket.

In many cases, it can take several months to a year for your residual limb to stabilize. Once it does, your prosthetist can then create a definitive prosthesis that you can continue using long term.

Yes! Like any medical device that sees regular, everyday use, a prosthetic hand or arm should absolutely be serviced and maintained on a regular schedule. Once you receive a completed, assembled prosthesis, make sure to follow the maintenance schedule recommended by your prosthetist.

Yes! In fact, many people who use an upper limb prosthesis find that they need more than one hand or arm to meet all their day-to-day needs. For example, you may find you need one prosthesis for detailed work tasks that require fine motor movements and a different device for household chores or outdoor activities.

If you decide you need more than one prosthetic hand or arm, it’s important to know whether your prosthesis supports interchangeable components. Depending on the design of your primary hand or arm, you may be able to easily swap out hands with different capabilities — or, you may need different component combinations to support the different hands you need.

Talk to your prosthetist to learn more about your current setup and how it can best support the different hands or arms you want to use.

Not necessarily, no. Some specially designed premium prosthetic components are built to withstand wet, dusty, or other demanding environments. But most prosthetic hands and arms have at least some restrictions on where you can safely take them and the types of tasks you can perform with them.

Ask your prosthetist for more information on the specific components you may be interested in, and where and how you can safely use them.