Transradial prosthesis

A United States soldier playing Foosball.

There are two main types of functional prosthetic arms available for below-the-elbow amputees:

Cable-operated prostheses are typically supported by a harness and operated by a cable that loops around the opposing shoulder. Hands are available that are opened or closed by the cable.

Myoelectric prostheses are electrically operated. They utilize the voltage generated when flexing the large muscles in the forearm. This voltage is picked up through electrodes touching the skin and is used as the control voltage for a small DC motor that opens and closes the prosthesis.

A prosthetic hook is a primitive artificial hand, often stereotyped as being fitted to pirates.

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