What it means
A man-made replacement for a body part. Some are worn outside the body, such as an artificial limb after an amputation or a dentureDEN-cherA removable set of artificial teeth that replaces some or all natural teeth.dent/o toothFull entry . Others are placed inside during surgery, such as a hip or knee joint, a heart valve or a breast implant. The plural is prostheses.
For the nurse
After an amputation, check the skin of the limb stump for redness and breakdown every day, and teach the client to wrap or shrink it as ordered so the prosthesis will fit. Ask about implanted prostheses before an MRI.
In a chart
"Client wears a below-knee prosthesis on the left leg; stump skin intact."
At a glance
| Spanish | prótesis |
|---|---|
| Also written | prostheses |
Related terms
assistive device
Equipment that helps a person move, do daily tasks or communicate more safely and on their own, such as a cane, walker or grab bar.
orthopedic
Having to do with the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons, and the branch of medicine that treats them.
total hip replacement
Surgery that replaces the worn or damaged ball and socket of the hip joint with artificial parts; also called total hip arthroplasty.