A Quick Start Guide to Understanding Upper-Limb Prosthetic Componentry (AT021-2)

A Quick Start Guide to Understanding Upper-Limb Prosthetic Componentry (AT021-2) 

Upper-limb prosthetic care presents a unique challenge for O&P practitioners—despite representing a smaller portion of their caseloads, upper-limb patients require specialized knowledge and thoughtful planning. According to the 2022 Practice Analysis, only 8.8% of certified O&P practitioners’ time is spent treating individuals with upper-limb difference or loss, even though these patients represent approximately 17% of the limb loss population. The vast range of available components—combined with limited hands-on repetition—can make the selection and fitting process feel overwhelming.

This course offers practical strategies to simplify upper-limb care. By leveraging principles commonly used in lower-limb prosthetic fittings and building a baseline approach to upper-limb componentry, practitioners can improve clinical readiness, reduce stress during fittings, and enhance outcomes for this underserved patient population.