Congenital Limb DifferencesFinger Loss
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Prosthetic Options for Varying Levels of Finger/Hand Differences or Loss

Amber Henson
by Amber Henson
Jan 21, 2025

All levels of upper limb or hand loss can be devastating, and most levels of congenital limb or hand differences can present challenges. Knowing what prosthetic options exist can be helpful to picture a future for those with an amputation, and for adults with congenital differences who are considering a prosthesis, perhaps to mitigate overuse symptoms.

In general, the options for finger prostheses are: body-powered, passive positional, passive and silicone restoration. In cases where several fingers or all digits are missing, there is a possibility of being fit with multi-articulating myoelectric fingers.

For people with thumb loss, we have a full article that addresses prosthetic options.

Partial Finger(s)

Below is a Naked Prosthetics PIPDriver. For people who are missing the last joint of their finger, the PIPDriver allows for added length, sensitive residual finger coverage, and active articulation (movement).

Artwork on Naked Prosthetics PIP Driver copy

Another option is a passive positional device. This Point Partial is created by Point Designs. The two joints can be manipulated either by the other hand or pressing it against the body or surrounding objects.

Point Partial Digit Socket IG

Below you can see what a custom silicone restoration looks like for a partial finger. While these prostheses do not provide movement, they do provide peace of mind to many people who are self-conscious about missing part of their finger, while also providing length and protection.

Custom Silicone Restoration Fingertip IG

All of the prostheses mentioned above are thin enough so that they can fit side by side with remaining fingers or additional prostheses as you’ll see below.

One Finger

In the image below, you’ll see another Naked Prosthetics device, the MCP driver. For patients who have just a bit of their residual finger left, this option can allow for needed length.

MCP Driver Blue Silicone

Naked Prosthetics also makes a passive positional device, called the GripLock Finger for this length of finger difference, but below you can see the Point Designs Digit passive positional finger. You can scroll down to the subheading, “Three Fingers“, and the first photo shows GripLock Fingers.

Gary, Chad PD PX & Protector

Passive silicone restorations can be created for any level of partial hand difference.

Kandra Ravat passive silicone restoration digit

Two Fingers

In the image below, you can see a prosthesis that features two Naked Prosthetic MCP Drivers, and a BOA Fit System which allows our patient to don (put on) the device with ease, then adjust for a comfortable, secure fit throughout the day.

Definitive MCP driver

Below is our patient Mark, who lost his thumb and two fingers while working in construction. Mark decided to receive a toe-to-thumb transfer and then get two passive positional Point Design Digits to replace what he had amputated. Mark wanted those devices because he knew they were durable, would allow him to pick up heavy objects, and help him get back to work in construction.

Mark Betters

Custom passive silicone restorations like those below really do make it hard to tell where the residual finger ends and the prosthesis starts!

Antonio Marco Morales CSR Fingers

Three Fingers

With multiple finger prostheses, hybrid options come into play. Below you can see a design that features all Naked Prosthetics devices: a MCP driver for the index finger and two passive-positional GripLock Fingers.

Hybrid NP-PD Black

The process for painting the silicone like you see below utilizes the person’s sound hand and requires a photography session and often an artist to custom paint the prostheses to match the remaining digits.

Melkin Rodriquez PX without text

When someone has lost or has a congenital difference of two or more fingers at the metacarpal level (meaning the entire finger is removed), that’s when multi-articulating myoelectric fingers (seen below) are an option. We have a full article regarding multi-articulating myoelectric fingers, with more images and videos.

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Four Fingers

A four-finger limb difference has the same options of body-powered, passive, silicone restoration and myoelectric. Both four finger and five digit limb differences could be a “through the palm” difference.

The body-powered and passive positional prostheses in the next two photos showcase customized frames and sockets that reflect the personal style of the patient.

Williams Partial Hand NP MCP Drivers - Rose Gold copy
BOA PDD

To create a custom passive silicone restoration for this level of finger loss, the prosthetist may create something akin to a glove to fit over the affected partial hand:

Cosmetic Partial Hand Restoration

Multi-articulating fingers like the ones shown below always need a battery pack near the wrist.

Partial Hand i-digits - MWC

Five Digits

Both of the prostheses below were created for the same patient, Henry, and both were inspired by Marvel movies. We’ll let you guess which ones.

Cox, H Wolverine Px
Henry Cox Thanos V2-1

Activity-Specific

Many body-powered and passive finger prostheses will work for many activities, but there are devices that people find helpful for a specific task.

This device helps our patient push the limits on his BMX bike:

Rob Williams Activity-Specific Bike PX

This device helps the owner ride their snowmobile:

Snowmobile Prosthesis Partial Hand Extended Socket Point Design Digit

This design helps our patient workout:

AS Prosthesis Workout Pink Zipper IG

Okay! Yes, there are a lot of options, but that’s because no one’s limb difference is exactly the same and everyone wants something that will work for them. The number of options can seem overwhelming, but that’s where our upper limb specialists come in. Our clinical teams know which devices will work best for our patients based on the individual's lifestyle and job. They can listen to feedback when the fitting process begins and make recommendations. Some people find that more than one device would be beneficial. Our justification and authorization team can help by working with insurance providers in those cases. Our occupational therapists that we have on-site at each center help our patients learn how to use their devices for work, home-life or recreation.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about finger and partial hand prosthetic options, please contact us. If you would like to leave a comment regarding this article, please do so below.

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