Advancements In Prosthetics Help Wounded Soldiers Return to Normal Lives

Whether they lost an upper or lower extremity on the battlefield, thanks to new technology being developed wounded soldiers can now resume their normal lives and even return to active duty if they so choose.

David Laufer, the Director of Orthotics and Prosthetics at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, addressed the successes and challenges in this field and how it has changed throughout the war on terror. With a lab on site that can do 3-D printing Laufer and his colleagues are able to help make patients as whole as possible in a relatively short period of time.

From the time of their injury to the fitting of their prosthetic limb the process of helping these men and women has been streamlined to hopefully give them the best result possible.

Whether it is a prosthetic foot they can use for running or walking or a hand that allows them to do the same things they could before their injury technology is a great ally for wounded soldiers looking to get on with their lives.

Because of all the options available in the field of prosthetics it is important to match the right piece to address the needs of the patients. This can include everything from a properly fitting ice skate to an adapter for fishing, to even a high heeled shoe.

While there is a lot that can be done to help wounded veterans, there are still some challenges that need to be overcome in order for them to resume a high quality of life.