PROSTHETIC LEGS SAID TO GIVE ADVANTAGE TO RUNNER EXAMPLE OF THE HIGH TECH WORLD OF PROSTHETIC ARMS AND LEGS

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Prosthetic technology is the science of creating replacements for a missing body part. Prosthetic technology has reached such a sophisticated level that a runner who has prosthetic legs has been banned from Olympic games "because (with his prosthetic legs) he has a "significant advantage" over able-bodied competitors".





"Oscar Pistorius was able to run with his prosthetic blades at the same speed as the able bodied sprinters with about 25 percent less energy expenditure," a report concluded..The report said the returned energy from the prosthetic blades, known as "cheetahs", was close to three times higher than the ankle joint".





"Biomedical engineers are working to develop reliable brain-machine interfaces that will someday let amputees manipulate prosthetic limbs as naturally as they do their native ones. But hacking the nervous system is easier said than done". Recently a group has been looking at using lasers to stimulate nerves connected to prosthetic devices more effectively than electricty. This is just one example of the Star Trek like high technology that is being focused on the problems of creating useful reliable prosthetics.






The science, technology and history of prosthetic limbs and prosthetic technology is illuminated in fascinating and precise detail at the Suture for a Living blog. "Ideally, a prosthesis must be comfortable to wear, easy to put on and remove, light weight, durable, and cosmetically pleasing. A prosthesis must function well mechanically and require only reasonable maintenance. Prosthetic use largely depends on the motivation of the individual, as none of the above characteristics matter if the patient will not wear the prosthesis".

Amputation Prosthetics and War

Legless athlete banned