Cosmesis

Cosmetic Design: options for how your prosthesis looks

There are many different options when it comes to the cosmetic design of your prosthesis. For both upper and lower prosthetic limb users, it’s vital to consider what’s important to you so that your prosthetist can design a prosthesis that is both functional – meeting your lifestyle and goals, but also one that you like the look of it’s cosmesis. Making a prosthetic limb suit your style is fun for us, but it also has an important clinical role. Typically, if a prosthetic user is a part of the decision-making process and has a prosthetic limb that they like the look of, they are more likely to accept the limb, want to wear it and be proud of it. This can improve outcomes and can have a positive impact on mental health.

So, the more we can make your prosthesis be a part of your life, whether it be from blending in or standing out, we are willing to try and make it happen!

Realistic Cosmesis

For some, they want their prosthesis to look as close to an anatomical leg or their sound side as possible. This often helps these users to accept their prosthesis and promotes higher usage/wear rate. The level of realism attainable depends on your funding body.

Some options available are:

• Foam cover shaped in house to resemble your sound side.
  • Covered with a cosmetic stocking or leather. (Check out our Instagram for how these are made)
  • Covered with a silicone cover ordered and fabricated externally. These vary in price dependent on the level of detail.
• Exoskeletal prosthesis – either solid or hollow prosthesis without modular components, made in-house & shaped to your measurements, with a pigment mixed in to match your skin tone.

Fashion/Statement

Other prosthetic users prefer their device to represent their fashion sense, their football team, a favourite colour or even have tattoos! For these clients, there are many options for cosmesis that we can achieve both in-house or  by working with external companies to order in a cosmetic option right for you.

 

• Provide your prosthetist with fabric of your choice to be embedded into the lamination of your socket.
• Choose a colour of pigment to be mixed into the resin for your socket.
• Custom covers can be made in-house with a cosmetic finish of your choice
• Your prosthetist can take measurements and order a removable cover for you from companies such as Alleles and UNYQ. These can be beneficial also in filling out long pants and protecting your clothing from the componentry/preventing tear

There are many more options available so if you have something specific in mind it is important to talk to your prosthetist early on so we can make your prosthesis just right for you!