Our team at Tierney Orthotics and Prosthetics has been providing prosthetics and other assistive devices for many years, and we want to help you find the right devices for you. When talking about prosthetics, we generally split them into two categories: active prosthetics, which have active movement, and passive prosthetics, which don’t.
In our experience, many people (especially able-bodied ones) assume active prosthetics would always be preferable, but there are actually certain situations in which passive prosthetics are the best choice. Specifically, many amputees choose to wear cosmetic prosthetics (a kind of passive prosthetic) at least some of the time. In this article, we’ll provide more information on cosmetic prosthetics to help you decide whether to get one.
What Are Cosmetic Prosthetics?
The easiest way to explain cosmetic prosthetics is to compare them to functional ones. Most prosthetics are designed to restore function, but often this extra functionality comes with a more mechanical look—the more advanced a prosthetic leg gets, for example, the less it tends to resemble a natural limb.
Cosmetic prosthetics, on the other hand, are designed to mimic the look of natural flesh and skin as much as possible. Each one is custom-made from clear silicone and then painted to match your skin tone as closely as possible.
In What Situations do People Wear Cosmetic Prosthetics?
Cosmetic prosthetics are ideal for use in situations where active movement is not a priority, or at times when you don’t want to draw attention to your disability. For example, many people choose to have cosmetic prosthetics made to wear at special events such as weddings, so they can wear whatever they want without having to worry about people commenting on their prosthetic. If you would like to do the same, just give us a call to get started.