Can a silicone prosthesis cover a finger shortened by contracture?
Yes. A silicone finger prosthesis can be fitted over a finger that contracture has left shorter and thinner, matching the length, width and skin tone of the same finger on your other hand. It does not change the shape or movement of the contracted finger itself, and it looks most natural when your hand is at rest.
What is finger contracture, and where does a prosthesis come in?
Contracture is when a joint stiffens or is pulled so that the finger will not straighten. Some people are born with it; in others it follows Dupuytren’s contracture (a thickening of the tissue under the palm) or burn scarring. Causes and treatment vary, so speak to a hand specialist or your doctor about the condition itself.
What Silobionic can help with is appearance. Even when the finger has not been lost, if contracture has left it noticeably shorter and thinner than the others, a silicone prosthesis can be fitted over it to even out length and width.
This case: an index finger stiffened from the middle joint
Our customer’s index finger had set in a bent position from the middle joint and was shorter and thinner than its neighbours. A prosthesis cannot straighten a contracted finger, so we designed one that houses the finger inside it.
The reference for the shape is the other hand. Because the prosthesis was modelled on the index finger of the unaffected hand, both index fingers end up almost the same length and width. We aimed for a result that is hard to notice when the hand is relaxed — resting on a desk, or hanging by your side.
What a prosthesis can and cannot do
| What you can expect | What it will not do | |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Length and width matched to your other hand | Straighten or move the contracted joint |
| Colour | Skin and nail tones mixed from an E-SKIN reading | Give identical results for everyone — results vary |
| Posture | A natural look with the hand at rest | Bend like a real finger in large movements |
Results depend on how far the finger has contracted and how much length remains. We look at your hand in person and tell you what shape is achievable before we begin.
How is it made?
The process is the same as for any finger prosthesis: three standard visits, about 4–6 weeks from consultation to delivery, with 7–10 days of that spent making the finger itself.
- Casting and skin-tone measurement — we take moulds of the contracted finger and your other hand, and measure your skin tone digitally with E-SKIN (SPECTROMATCH, UK) to mix custom pigments. The nail is made with our patented nail-making method.
- Check socket (a temporary trial socket) — before the final piece is made, you try a trial version so we can check that length and width match your other hand and that it is neither tight nor loose. Contracted fingers vary a lot in shape, so this is where adjustments are found.
- Delivery — you try on the finished prosthesis and we show you how to wear and care for it.
How is the price worked out?
It depends on how much of the finger the prosthesis must cover — a single segment or the whole finger. Alongside a cosmetic prosthesis for everyday appearance, some customers also order a work prosthesis for hands-on tasks. Because of these choices, we quote after seeing your affected area. You are welcome to send photos in advance for an online consultation in English.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a finger prosthesis if I have not lost the finger?
Yes. If contracture or a similar condition has left the finger shorter or thinner, a prosthesis can be made to fit over it. We confirm whether it suits you after seeing your hand.
Will wearing it straighten my finger?
No. The prosthesis matches appearance; it does not change the shape or movement of the joint. Please discuss treatment of the contracture with your doctor.
How close will it look to my other hand?
We model length, width and nail on your other hand and mix the colour from a digital skin-tone reading. We aim for a result that is difficult to tell apart from a real finger, but results vary from person to person.
How long does it take?
Three standard visits, about 4–6 weeks from consultation to delivery. Making the finger itself takes 7–10 days.
