Definition of prosthetics

The word "prosthetics" has its roots in ancient Greece. The term "prosthesis" (πρόσθησις) comes from the Greek words "pro" (πρός), meaning "to add" or "to put forth", and "thesis" (θέσις), meaning "to place" or "to put". In medical contexts, prosthetics refers to artificial devices that are attached to the body to replace or support a missing or damaged part, such as a limb. The concept of prosthetics dates back to ancient cultures, where amputees used wooden or metal limbs to aid mobility and independence. The word "prosthetics" was first used in the late 17th century to describe these artificial limbs. Since then, advances in materials and technology have enabled the development of more sophisticated prosthetics, such as artificial joints and bionic limbs, which have revolutionized the treatment of amputees and improved their quality of life.