Before the Bionics: 5 Reasons Amputees Start with Body-Power

By Marins Med

When someone experiences limb loss, timing matters. The sooner a person is fitted with a prosthesis, the greater the chance of long-term success. That’s why body-powered devices are often the first prosthesis introduced in the rehabilitation journey. It’s not just about cost—it’s about promoting healing, regaining strength, and building confidence.

1. Early Fitting Promotes Better Outcomes
Research consistently shows that early prosthetic fitting correlates with higher rates of acceptance and long-term use.¹ The sooner a user begins wearing a device, the more likely they are to integrate it into daily life. This is especially important in upper-limb loss, where abandonment rates remain high.

2. Body-Powered Devices Can Be Fit and Trained Quickly
Body-powered prosthetics typically require less time to fabricate, fit, and train with—making them ideal for early rehabilitation. With fewer components and no reliance on batteries or complex programming, clinicians can introduce the device soon after healing begins.

3. Encourages Strength, Endurance, and Active Use
Unlike passive devices, body-powered prosthetics require muscular engagement, helping users maintain or rebuild strength in the residual limb and upper body. This physical engagement supports healing and helps users regain functional movement patterns.

4. Prepares the Residual Limb for More Complex Devices
Early use of a prosthesis—especially one that involves active motion—helps the limb and brain adapt to prosthetic use. This sets the stage for successful use of more complex or expensive systems down the road, such as myoelectric or hybrid devices.

5. Confidence and Momentum Matter
Fitting a prosthesis early gives people something to work with—something to learn from. That momentum can be critical. It can shift the emotional arc of recovery from helplessness to capability, from watching others assist to doing it independently.

Closing Thought:
At Marins, we believe the first device matters. That’s why we designed the ProHensor®—a body-powered terminal device that empowers users with real functionality and durability, right from the start. When early success is possible, better outcomes are too.

¹ Referenced research could include data from the Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development (JRRD) or systematic reviews on prosthetic abandonment and early fitting success.