AN OVERVIEW OF THE EVOLUTION, CLASSIFICATION, AND PSYCHOSOCIAL ASPECTS OF ORTHOPEDIC PROSTHESES IN THE CONTEXT OF POST-AMPUTATION REHABILITATION

Throughout history, the deep desire of people to regain lost mobility has been the basis for the development of orthopedics, an essential field of modern medicine. Among the most remarkable achievements of this field are orthopedic prostheses, complex medical devices designed to replace limbs or body segments lost due to accidents, medical conditions or congenital malformations. Their main purpose is to restore functionality, facilitating the patient's regaining mobility, independence and social reintegration. The evolution of orthopedic prostheses, from rudimentary devices made of wood and metal to bionic prostheses controlled by nerve signals, reflects technological progress and the constant concern for the quality of life. The classification of prostheses is carried out according to various criteria: the level of amputation, the substituted body segment, functionality, materials, degree of customization, technological level, purpose of use and method of fixation. The use of prostheses has a major psychological and social impact on patients, influencing self-image, self-esteem, social integration and quality of life.