When Standard Doesn’t Fit Your Hobby: Custom Prosthetic and Orthotic Solutions for the Things You Love
Most prosthetic and orthotic devices are built for daily life: walking, standing, getting in and out of the car. But people are more than their daily routine. They surf, ride, cook, garden, play guitar, fish and travel. Sometimes the device that works for the supermarket does not work for the surf.
That is where custom design comes in. Here are some examples of what has been made for people who wanted their device to fit their life, along with how to start that conversation.
Some Examples of Custom Design
Water Sports
Salt, sand and immersion are hard on most components. For a client who loves spearfishing, we made a fully waterproof flipper foot. For an avid surfer, we made a foot sealed with silicone to protect the internal components, paired with a custom liner inside a carbon fibre socket. The result is a leg that can be washed, rinsed and taken into the water.
Mealtimes
Feeding yourself is something most people rarely think about. For one client, we made a socket to wear at mealtimes with a fork built in and bent to the angle a person would normally hold it. It is washable, and the fork can be removed for cleaning.
Riding and Community Events
Foot choice can change what is possible. A foot with a pivoting ankle may suit riders and people who need a bit more movement when they are on and off a bike or motorbike. Your prosthetist can help you weigh up the options for your activity.
Style and Identity
Not every custom design is about function. We have made sockets carrying cultural designs, including Polynesian patterns that reflect the wearer's heritage, AFOs with metallic paint and glitter, and carbon fibre finishes with graphics. Many people like their device to look like them.
What About Upper-Limb Devices?
Custom design applies to arms and hands as well. Upper-limb prosthetics can be body-powered, powered by the small electrical signals from muscles (myoelectric), or made for specific tasks, such as a gripping attachment for gardening or a holder for a fork or pen.
You will have seen 'bionic hand' in the news. It usually refers to a myoelectric hand with movable fingers controlled by muscle signals. These devices are impressive, but they are not right for everyone, and they are not the only option. A simpler, task-specific device is sometimes better suited to a hobby, especially where water, dirt or impact is involved. Talk to your prosthetist about what you want to do with your hand, and they will help you weigh up the options.
How to Start the Conversation
You do not need to know what is technically possible. Your job is to describe what you want to do, and your prosthetist's job is to work out how. It helps to bring:
The activity. What is it, how often do you do it and where?
Your gear. Shoes, boots, fins, handlebars, a fishing rod, a guitar, whatever you use. Photos or videos of you doing the activity are useful.
The problem. What is getting in the way with your current device?
Your environment. Water, sand, dust, cold, heat, mud.
Your priorities. Comfort, weight, durability, appearance, cost and funding.
Activities Worth Asking About
If you are wondering whether your interest is too unusual, it probably is not. People ask us about all sorts of things. A few examples of activities you could raise with your prosthetist or orthotist:
Fishing, boating and other time on the water
Gardening and yard work, including uneven or wet ground
Cycling, motorbike riding and horse riding
Golf, bowls and other club sports
Playing a musical instrument
Cooking, craft and other tasks that involve fine hand movements
Dancing, hiking and travel
A Few Honest Caveats
Not every activity can be catered for, and some designs need trial and refinement. Prototype devices can take longer to develop than standard ones, and funding for specialised devices is not automatic. Your prosthetist will be upfront about what is realistic and what the trade-offs are, and will not promise results they cannot support.
It is still worth asking. The best custom devices usually begin with a client who says 'I'd like to do this, is there any way?'
Working With Your Funding
Specialised devices often need extra evidence for funding bodies. Being clear about your goals helps: what you want to do, how often, and why your current device does not allow it. Your prosthetist can help you put that together and can explain the process. Approval is never guaranteed, so it is worth asking early and keeping your expectations realistic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a prosthesis be made for sport or a specific hobby?
Often, yes. Devices can be designed around specific activities, such as water sports, but what is possible depends on the activity, the device and funding. Your prosthetist can advise.
What is a bionic hand?
The term usually refers to a myoelectric hand, a prosthetic hand controlled by electrical signals from the muscles in the residual limb. It is one of several upper-limb options.
Can I customise the look of my prosthesis or orthosis?
In many cases, yes. Finishes can include colours, patterns, graphics and cultural designs. Talk to your prosthetist about what is available for your device.
Next Step
Got a hobby you would like to get back to, or take further? Tell us about it. Call (02) 4415 9510 or visit x-tremity.com.