Real advancement has been made in prosthetic devices since the Vietnam War and our wounded U. S. soldiers coming back as amputees from Iraq and Afghanistan are benefitting. There are no bionic men and women yet, but we are coming closer.
Advances have come in the form of lighter and more durable composite materials, better socket design, and the increased use of microelectronics.
Perhaps the biggest advancement in prosthetics is the “C leg”, which uses a hydraulic piston and a 40,000 lithium-ion battery (30 hours of power). This cutting edge artificial leg can sense how fast a person is walking up to fifty times faster than previous models. Along with artificial knees that work with a computer controlled mechanism, there is also the flex foot. These energy storing feet can sense a person’s stride and adjust for a more natural gait.
Compared with four percent of all amputees during the Vietnam War, twenty-four percent of soldiers needing prosthetics are suffering from wounds to upper extremities. Because of these high numbers, there is a new focus on research aiming for advancements in artificial arms and hands.
Soldiers losing their limbs encounter a personal tragedy that has societal repercussions as well. While not all amputees have excellent outcomes, more and more will lead almost normal lives because of medical advancements being made in the field of prosthetics.