What are prosthetic limbs?

A prosthetic limb is like a special helper that helps people move when they need it most.

Imagine you have a toy car. If one wheel breaks, you can put on another wheel to keep the car moving, that's kind of what a prosthetic limb does for someone who has lost an arm or leg. A prosthetic limb is like a new hand or foot made just for them.

Think about your favorite pair of shoes. They help you walk, and they fit you perfectly. A prosthetic limb works in the same way, but it connects to the body instead of the floor. Some people wear prosthetic limbs all day long, just like how you wear your socks or shoes.

Sometimes, a prosthetic limb is controlled by tiny movements, kind of like when you use your elbow to move your arm. A person might squeeze their hand or move their leg slightly to make the prosthetic limb move with them, just like how you press buttons on a video game controller to make things happen.

These helpers are made from strong materials, sometimes even plastic or metal, stuff you might see in your toy box!