|  | Conditions Treatments | Disabilities

Advantages of Prosthetic Legs

There are certain advantages to having prosthetic legs versus not having prosthetics at all. Mobility is a major concern for amputees, and having prosthetics can help regain the freedom of movement. In recent years, prosthetics used in sporting events have been in the spotlight, as in rare cases the prosthetics are faster than natural legs.

  1. Mobility

    • The most important advantage of having prosthetic legs is the freedom of movement that a lack of legs prohibits. Prosthetic legs attach to a partially severed leg and are custom built to the specifications of the user's body. The prosthetics mimic the movement of natural legs and allow for full movement. The prosthetics may be more difficult to use than natural legs, and certain terrains will be hard to impossible to navigate, but with the alternative of being confined to a wheelchair, the prosthetics raise the quality of life of the user by lifting the limitations inherent to a wheelchair.

    Sporting

    • Prosthetics in sporting events have become more and more commonplace as players or contestants with artificial limbs are just as accepted as players without. Specially designed leg prosthetics can allow a formerly legless participant run, sprint, snowboard or swim. In some cases, the artificial legs created for the participant allow them to run faster than runners with natural legs. Participants in the Olympic games still may not compete in standard events, but must instead take part in the Special Olympics. In other sporting events in the United States, though, prosthetic legs are allowed in most, if not all, professional events, races or matches.

    Advancement Beyond Replacement

    • With natural legs, strain and fatigue can play a large part in mobility, both in sporting events and in everyday life. With the help of prosthetics, an amputee can travel farther and faster than a person with natural legs, as their limbs are no longer subject to the same strain. This discovery has prompted scientists to look into prosthetics that are worn outside of legs of disabled persons with their complete limbs as a way of helping them regain independence. Prosthetics will not only become replacement limbs but may also become an outside prosthetic or enhancement for many mobility-inhibited individuals.

Disabilities - Related Articles