Historical Pieces

This prosthesis introduced a new concept: it gave coordinated movement at the knee, tibio tarsal and metatarsal joints, in order to make a more natural gait. Palmer also intended to hide the spaces between the various components and to place springs and  movement stops in the joints to give them a more natural looking gait. This prosthesis received a prize in the first show held at the Crystal Palace in London in 1851. Construction: Interior skeleton in wood, leather coating, controlled movement with pig bladder straps.

Construction: Interior skeleton in wood, leather coating, controlled movement with pig bladder straps.

Origin: United States of America

Manufactured date: 1840-1863

HKAFO (hip-knee-anke-foot orthosis) this orthosis, very common in the british victorian era, is entirely built from hard leather, molded according to the patient's body, and steel; with no joints, exception made to the hip, allowing the patient to sit.
intended for a total paralysis of the lower limb, it's diffcult to imagine nowadays the skills needed to build such an artifact like the one in display.

Construction: Hard leather, iron and bronze.

Origin: United Kingdom

Manufactured date: around 1800

Knee- ankle-FOOT orthosis, for lower limb DEFICIENCY, probably due to paralysis associated with a flexion contracture OF THE HIP AND KNEE. In wrought iron, one-piece and without knee joint, with wooden pestle to allow walking. The cork at the base is intended to cushion the impact. Plantar support with leather straps (absent in the image).

Construction: Wrought iron, wood, cork and leather.

Origin: United Kingdom

Manufactured date: around 1800

Prosthesis for arm amputation, also known as "peg-arm". He based his conception on a particular profession, as a seaman, or, as this case suggests, a farmer who used it to pick up bales. Structure in iron, without elbow joints but with a previous flexion; Fully molded in leather, with anterior opening to be tightened with drawstring. Primitive iron hook, non-interchangeable and without functional control.

Construction: Iron and leather.

Origin: Belgium

Manufactured date: between 1780 and 1800

Transtibial prosthesis with knee joint and thigh piece, without foot, better known as "peg-leg" or "pirate's leg". Developed in England to be used in countries with few resources but where bamboo would be abundant, as in India. Knee joints in steel and thigh piece in leather.

Construction: Steel, leather and bamboo.

Origin: United States of America

Manufactured date: 1943