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An artificial leg dating to about 300 B.C. was found. It was made of bronze and iron, with a wooden core, apparently for a below-knee amputee.
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The Dark Ages saw little advancement in prosthetics other than the hand hook and peg leg. Most prostheses of the time were made to hide deformities or injuries sustained in battle.Outside of battle, only the wealthy were lucky enough to be fitted with a peg leg or hand hook for daily function.
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The Renaissance began a new perspectives of art, philosophy, science and medicine. Prostheses during this period were generally made of iron, steel, copper and wood.
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The new DEKA arm is the first FDA-approved arm that can move multiple joints at once by receiving commands from electromyograms.
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James Potts, designed a prosthesis made of a wooden shank and socket, a steel knee joint and an articulated foot that was controlled by catgut tendons from the knee to the ankle.
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Now, lighter, patient-molded devices, the advent of microprocessors, computer chips and robotics in today's devices are designed to return amputees to the lifestyle they were accustomed to, rather than to simply provide basic functionality or a more pleasing appearance. Prostheses are more realistic with silicone covers and are able to mimic the function of a natural limb more now than at any time before.
