What are a few unique ways to customize a prosthetic device?
Thanks to emerging technologies, custom orthotics and prosthetics have come a long way in the past decade or so. Patients now have the option to have an artificial limb designed in a variety of colors and styles, but that’s just the beginning.
These days, our incredible team is often tasked with creating designs that turn a patient’s artificial limb into a veritable work of art. Let’s take a look at six of our favorite ways to customize orthotics and prosthetics that will help your patient show off their personality!
Classic or Street Art
Art has always been a wonderful way to express yourself. Prosthetics patients who are also art lovers or simply attracted to a specific artist can use their prosthetic to replicate their favorite work of art. Perhaps they want something classic like a Van Gogh or would like to celebrate modern artwork by Banksy or a local artist that’s caught their eye. Their device will quickly become a conversation piece!
Replication of a Tattoo
Tattoos used to be limited to the military and young people wanting to rebel against their parents or authorities, but that’s not the case any longer. If your prosthetic patient had a tattoo on the body part that’s now a prosthetic, they can get it replicated instead of having it placed somewhere else. Or, perhaps you have a patient who’s always thought about getting a tattoo, but never has. This is the perfect opportunity to do something a little different.
Favorite Sports Team
As David Puddy famously said, “Gotta support the team!” That Seinfeld reference spoke to millions of men and women because much of today’s society is obsessed with sports, and especially obsessed with sports teams. If your patient has a favorite team, our designers can create a custom orthotic or prosthetic with the team’s logo, a favorite player’s number, etc.
T-Shirt Immortalization
Imagine taking your favorite t-shirt and immortalizing it on your body for all eternity (or until you decide to switch it out). This is exactly what advanced technologies like 3D printing have made possible.
With this specific process, however, the t-shirt’s image isn’t being taken and replicated. Instead, the actual physical t-shirt will be placed forever on your patient’s orthotic or prosthetic device. You’d be surprised at how many people get this done, and the results are always magnificent.
Hobbies and Loves
When dealing with custom orthotics and prosthetics, the sky is the limit. A patient can basically have anything placed on their artificial limb that they’d like. In recent years, we’ve seen a huge increase in patients having their favorite quote from a book, author, philosopher, comic book, TV show, movie, etc. printed on the prosthetic. But if they have a favorite hobby, movie, musician, character, or poster we can have it printed on their device.
Spray Skin Coating
Instead of a favorite work of art, sports team, hobby, movie character, or something along those lines, a patient can always choose to get a customized spray skin. This is exactly as it sounds. Using a special color system, the patient’s prosthetic will be made to match their actual skin color.
This is more subtle than other customizations and can help the prosthetic blend in. Which, in turn, can assist people having a difficult time making the transition to a prosthetic.
Contact Grace for Custom Orthotic and Prosthetic Design
Grace Prosthetic Fabrication can create custom orthotics and prosthetics that will show off a patient’s personality. For any questions about our products or services and how we can help your patient transition into their wonderful new life, give us a call at (800) 940-5347 today.
