The sensory motor system is an endless feedback loop coordinated by small but significant anatomical modifications. These modifications are achieved over a long period of time through eventual differential gene expression. Hence a long term process, but definitely not permanent. In order to sustain such a set of anatomical features continuous utilization is essential. Immediately after the loss of a functional limb, these modifications remain vigilant. Which includes the relevant plasticity’s in the brain.
As a result, the brain refuses to recognize the loss. And continues to feel the lost limb at its place. This phantom phenomenon known as the phantom limb phenomenon.
Unfortunately, this condition is not the only challenge an amputee faces. This article will discuss multiple such complications and understand how a bionic prosthesis can help in alleviating the same.
Post-traumatic stress disorder
It has seen that victims of a major accident retain trauma long after they are healed. In many cases, a lifelong trauma paralyzes the individual to an extreme extent. The origin of this trauma can be the accident itself or maybe the resulting amputation. In the case of the latter, a bionic prosthesis can really help out the patient by giving back some of the essential abilities. Alleviating the sense of loss to a significant extent.
Severe frustrations
Loss of limb results in the loss of a lot of functions. Essential habits might depend on them. Loss Of the functions ultimately makes the exercise of those habits impossible. A bionic prosthesis can not give back all the functions one might need to exercise the essential habits needed for a healthy life. But it can give back significantly enough to make an amputee happy and full again.
Major depression disorder
Depression snatches a person away from life. The sense of being incomplete and unusual in the usual society invites depression. Also, Isolations on multiple occasions and impairment of social presence devastate the willingness of coming back to life. A bionic prosthesis not only gives back essential abilities but also instils a sense of completeness. The empowering experience of wielding a bionic prosthesis extends even more in terms of effects. The experience alleviated the sense of physical inferiority and the depression originating from it.
The phantom limb pain
Having a phantom limb phenomenon is disturbing and in many cases, the phantom sensations turn into severe bursts of pain. This pain can alleviated only by giving back the limb and the sensations of performance. A bionic prosthesis not only utilizes the phantom limb phenomenon but also alleviates the severe bursts of pain.
The loss of livelihood, body balance and Bionic
Human anatomy is an optimally tune system. The human body utilizes most of its anatomy. Organs and tissues act in perfect coherence and functions are mostly overlapping. Loss of a limb hinders all those functions expected from a limb. Additionally, all the overlapping functions impaired as well. As a result, the body balance takes a massive hit and normal livelihood is impaire.
In addition to that, people dependent on the limbs for daily bread can no longer effectively go back to life like before. A bionic prosthesis with its limited functions can give back the prospect of being a professional once again and earn a living. And give back the precious body balance to the amputee.
Author’s note
Prostheses are still not accessible enough for most people. In the rural areas of our country, only a handful of people are actually aware of the existence of bionic limbs. The giants in the prosthesis industry are simply out of reach of the middle income, marginally aware classes of Indian suburbia. Thankfully the scenario is changing at a rapid pace. Moreover, The internet is spreading awareness and instilling hope in amputees. The hope of a new life, a new beginning. Recently an Indian prosthetic arm company launched their product. Which they claim priced at a fraction of the contemporaries. Being an Indian product this new prosthesis expected to available for every amputee from every corner of the country. And due to its overwhelmingly low pricing, the unmotivated and depressed can seek the light of hope in a particular product.
The newly created market of bionic prostheses is soon expected to see some major players as news of progress in the air. And soon starting from this very first accessible bionic masterpiece more organizations will bring up their contributions.
