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Body-Powered Prostheses

Trans-humeral body-powered socket prosthetic arm with a hook for the terminal device. (Photo Courtesy of HJF)

Chief Warrant Officer 2 James Houdek lost his right hand and severely injured his left arm during a farming accident. He has returned to work full-time and continues to impress his doctors with his recovery.*

Chief Warrant Officer 2 James Houdek is shown working on a car with his body-powered prosthetic arm. Houdek lost his right hand and severely injured his left arm during a farming accident.*

*The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

 

Body-powered prostheses usually rely on hooks and cables powered by other body parts, such as the chest, shoulder, and/or elbow, to control movements.¹ A body-powered prosthesis is the most widely used type of upper limb prosthesis.²

Pros:

  • Very reliable, especially during periods of long use, because they do not rely on an electrical power source.2

  • A shorter training period is required compared to other prosthetic options.1

  • Simply designed, durable, and less expensive than electric prostheses.1,2

  • Can be used by people with different levels of limb loss—above elbow (transhumeral) and below elbow (transradial), and by people with neurological impairments or neurodegenerative disorders.2

Cons:

  • Designed to work well rather than look realistic (e.g., wires and cables show). Given this, body-powered prostheses may look more like a tool than a limb.2

  • Described as hot or uncomfortable by some, and can sometimes cause tears and snags in clothing.1

  • Require some physical ability to operate properly, so may not be a good choice for people with bilateral hand or upper limb loss, or limited strength and flexibility.2
 

Ms. Skinner, with unilateral, below-elbow limb loss (5 years after amputation), talks about how she uses a mechanical prosthesis.

 
 

Click Below for More Videos

Videos of Hand/Arm Transplant Recipients and People with Limb Loss

Ms. Hill with unilateral, above-elbow limb loss (3 years after amputation), describes how her body-powered prosthesis works and what functions she gains with it.

Mr. St. Onge, with bilateral, below-elbow limb loss (21 years after amputation), talks about his experiences with different prosthetics.

Ms. Hill, with unilateral, above-elbow limb loss (3 years after amputation), lists the pros and cons of her body-powered prosthesis.

Ms. Carter, with bilateral, below-elbow limb loss (11 years after amputation), talks about her experiences with a body-powered prosthesis.

Mr. Cicero, with unilateral, above elbow limb loss (12 years after amputation), talks about the pros and cons of his body-powered prosthesis.

References

Sources

  1. Kubiak CA, Etra JW, Brandacher G, et al. Prosthetic Rehabilitation and Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation Following Upper Limb Loss. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2019;143(6):1688-1701.  

  2. Upper Limb Prosthetics. Hanger Clinic. Accessed September 20, 2022. https://hangerclinic.com/prosthetics/upper-limb/