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What is a Customized Activity-Specific Prosthesis?

Amber Henson
by Amber Henson
Mar 18, 2025

Activity-specific prosthetic devices really are so cool. They’re very “Go-Go-Gadget,” to reference a 1980’s cartoon show. For many years well past the 80’s, our prosthetists, prosthetic assistants and technicians had to make most of the activity-specific devices our patients requested. Because only 10% of all limb differences are upper limb, many companies found that creating devices for upper limb needs was too niche. Fortunately, that has changed. Before, if one of our patients wanted to ride a bike, we always had to create a device for them. Now, these items can be purchased “off the shelf” and custom fit by us. But because everyone’s limb/hand difference is unique and everyone’s needs are different, we’re still creating some custom-made devices. Check out what we’ve made recently:

Partial Hand Activity-Specific Bike Prosthesis-IG

In the photo above, there are three different views of the customized device we made for one of our patients. She wanted to be able to safely ride her mountain bike. Since her amputation is through the palm, an “off the shelf” terminal device would not work for her because it is designed for individuals with a wrist disarticulation or higher level difference. This device rotates when she grasps the handlebar.

Rob Williams Activity-Specific Bike PX

Above is another partial hand device for someone with that amputation level. Our patient wanted a device that would improve his grasp on the handlebars of his BMX bike. He is also hopeful that he can use it for kayaking and canoeing.

Snowmobile Prosthesis Partial Hand Extended Socket Point Design Digit

Now, the above is a bit of a hybrid. It was created for our patient Michael, who has a pinky finger amputation with a partial residual finger, and has an off-the-shelf component to it, but the strap and cuff are what allow it to be an activity-specific device. Michael wanted to feel secure when riding his snowmobile and his four-wheeler, and effectively grasp the handles. To achieve this, his prosthetist added a custom nylon strap at the palm to provide stable support for the Partial Point Digit, which is created by Point Designs. The wrist cuff, which has flat edges, is also custom made, from silicone. This was entirely the patient’s concept — the prosthetist and technician at our Minneapolis center brought it to life.

Weightlifting Activity Specific Wrist Disarticulation

Let’s take a look at some of the custom devices that our patients use at the gym. The one above is a weightlifting device for a patient at our Dallas center whose amputation is through the wrist.

AS Prosthesis Workout Pink Zipper IG

Our patient, who received the prosthesis above, explained the necessity to increase their ability to lift, carry, and manipulate heavy objects around their home, in the gym, sometimes at work. Mostly though, they wanted to increase their load capacity at the gym. With all five fingers missing, a custom-device needed to be created.

Alexis Chaimberlain Pink - SWC - IG

There’s something about that bright pink silicone that just speaks to some of our patients. Alexis was an avid softball player in college. She asked for the team at our Dallas center to make her a prosthetic device that allowed her to throw the ball — and of course she asked that the frame match the socket.

You may have noticed that these devices are for people with partial hands. Do we create custom-made activity-specific devices for people with higher-level upper limb differences? Yes!

Bath Prosthesis

The unique, water friendly arm above definitely gives our patient an excellent way to get suds going in the shower. We have also created devices that allow our patients to get back to work:

Austin Anderson chainsaw attachment-1

Austin had an above elbow amputation shortly after getting his dream job of becoming a tree-faller in Yosemite National Park. He needed a device that would allow him to quickly disengage from his chainsaw for safety purposes. He went to two other prosthetic care providers and was told his request was impossible. But when he came to our Arm Dynamics center in Portland, he got the answer he wanted:

Our prosthetists, prosthetic assistants and technicians love a challenge. Just this week, our email team received a message asking if we could fit someone with a partial hand device so they could milk a cow. That’s a first for our email team, but not for our prosthetists!

If you, or someone you know, is looking to be fit with a custom-made prosthetic device, activity-specific or otherwise, please contact us. Not only do we fit you with the device, we teach you how to use it. If you’d like to leave a comment, please do so below.

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