Making a Prosthetic Finger
Introduction
Prosthetic fingers are used to replace amputated fingers. They are made using the individuals specifications. The external appearance is restored by individually designing the shape and color. The prosthetic finger blends into the overall body image and is not discernible to others at first glance.
Most prosthetic finger are simply suspended by means of suction created between the prosthesis and the residual finger stump.
Procedures
1. Apply the petroleum jelly on the finger to be used as a pattern to reduce to the corrosive effect of the silicon on the finger and to also aid the removal of the silicon mold.
2. Apply the silicon on the finger required to be replaced and wait for it to dry or harden on the finger.
3. Carefully remove the finger from the silicon mold.
4. Mix gelatin, glycerin and warm water in the ratio 2:2:1 in a pot.
5. Heat the gelatin, glycerin and water mixture on low heat and mix properly.
6. Add poster color into the mixture to get the desired shade of the skin.
7. Pour the mixture into the silicon mold.
8. Wait for the mixture to dry and solidify.
9. Remove the newly formed cast from the silicon mold and a prosthetic finger having the impressions of the finger is obtained.
10. The resulting cast is a prosthetic finger.
Precautions
1. I rubbed petroleum jelly(Vaseline) on my finger before applying the silicon to prevent chemical reactions with my skin.
2. I carefully removed the silicon mold from my finger.
3. I made sure the gelatin and glycerin were heated at steady low temperature well before pouring it into the mold.
4. I ensured that the gelatin and glycerin were in heated form while pouring to ensure steady flow into the silicon mold.
5. I made sure the gelatin and glycerin solidified before removing the cast from the mold.
Result
The resulting prosthetic finger made using glycerin, gelatin, and water was strong, durable, flexible, and comfortable to wear. It was easy to mold to fit the patient's specification.
Limitations
Although making prosthetic fingers with glycerin and gelatin can be easy and cost-effective, it has some caveats. The prosthetic finger may not be able to withstand as much applied stress as the original finger due to lack of bones, restraining the patient from participating in certain activities. Furthermore, prosthetics made with these materials is not durable as the ones made with other materials like metals and PVC. This method is best appropriate for patients with a finger or two loss not for patients who lost an entire hand.
Conclusion
~ Skin palatable materials should be used to prevent burn or damage to the human skin.
~The desired prosthetic finger was produced.
