How to Donate Prosthetics

Prosthetic arms and legs are expensive medical devices that need to be replaced as a person grows or their needs change. There are two main types of prostheses -- myoelectric, powered by nerve impulses -- and body-powered, manually moved using another area of the body. Used prosthetics often end up in landfills, because laws prohibit them from being re-used in the United States. There are several different ways that these devices can be donated.

Instructions

• 1

  Donate your prosthesis to an organization that provides medical services to developing third-world countries. Health care professionals take used prosthetics to countries where people do not have access to them and donate their surgical skills and services for fitting and teaching the people how to use the prosthesis. Contact the Prosthetics Outreach Program to find programs that provide these services, http://pofsea.org/resources/frequently-ask.

• 2

  Donate your prosthesis to a college that has an orthotics and prosthetics program. Schools use these items and their components for teaching purposes and clinical application. To find these schools, contact the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, or visit Education-Portal.com and search the site for prosthetic schools in the United States.

• 3

  Donate your prosthetic to a local health care facility that treats patients after amputations. This equipment can be used as examples for patients who are deciding on the type of prosthetic they would like. They can also be used for practice with weight-shifting exercises and to give a patient a sense of what their prosthetic will feel like. In addition, components from the prosthetic can be used for repairs or replacement parts.