Krukenberg Prosthesis

The Krukenberg prosthesis is a prosthetic forearm stump with a gripping device instead of a hand. Named after the German surgeon Ferdinand Krukenberg (1863-1930), who developed this type of prosthesis.

The Krukenberg prosthesis is used for forearm amputation. It consists of a sleeve that covers the stump of the forearm and a gripping mechanism that replaces the hand. The gripping device is usually made in the form of a claw, which opens and closes using rods and straps connected to the arm. This allows the patient to control the claw grip with movements of the shoulder joint.

The Krukenberg prosthesis provides the grasping function of the upper limb and allows some manipulation of objects. It is used for forearm amputations for various indications - trauma, oncology, birth defects, etc. Despite the limited functionality compared to the hand, the Krukenberg prosthesis significantly improves the quality of life of patients after forearm amputation.