Can a silicone prosthesis restore the shoulder line after shoulder disarticulation?
In this case, yes. After losing the right shoulder joint, our customer’s main concern was a hollow upper chest and a shoulder line that no longer matched the other side. We made a cosmetic silicone prosthesis running from shoulder to fingertips, modelled on the other shoulder, and added extra check-socket fittings because the area was difficult to cast.
When do people look for a shoulder prosthesis?
Losing the arm at the shoulder joint (shoulder disarticulation) is not just about an empty sleeve. The shoulder line itself drops, clothes hang differently and the weight on each side changes. Our customer had lost the right shoulder joint, and the hollow extended into the upper chest, which left a long-standing feeling of the body tilting to one side. When discomfort spread to the lower back and neck, putting it off no longer felt like an option.
Balance and pain can have many causes, so speak to your doctor about them. Our role in this case was to fill out the shape of the missing shoulder and arm to match the other side.
Why the decision took time
Our customer consulted several providers and spent a long time weighing whether to go ahead and where. The biggest worry was whether the hollow shoulder could be rebuilt into a natural line that matched the other side. After hearing how we would approach it, our customer chose to have it made at Silobionic.
How was it made?
The overall steps are the same as for any prosthesis: we cast the affected area and the other side, test the fit with a check socket (a temporary trial socket), then make the final piece. In this case, 3D printing was also used as part of the making process.
Casting was the hardest part. The hollow running from the shoulder into the upper chest has deep contours, which made an accurate mould difficult to capture in one go. We added extra check-socket fittings, so it took far longer than the standard timeline of about 4–6 weeks. We chose to take the time to find a shape that fitted rather than rush it.
| Stage | What we did in this case |
|---|---|
| Casting | Moulded the hollow shoulder and upper chest together with the other shoulder |
| Check socket | Tested fit and shoulder line with a trial socket, with extra fittings added |
| Final prosthesis | Made the skin-contact surface from soft silicone and finished the piece in one, from shoulder to fingertips |
Wearing the finished prosthesis
Even light pressure on the hollow in the upper chest was uncomfortable, so we took care that force would not concentrate there. After trying the finished prosthesis, our customer said the soft silicone sat closely against the body, felt stable and did not press uncomfortably. The shoulder line — the main worry — now flowed naturally into the other side. How it feels to wear will vary with your affected area.
Considering a shoulder prosthesis?
- Decide what you want from it — the prosthesis in this case restores the shape of the shoulder and arm; it does not move on its own.
- Allow extra time for complex areas — difficult casting can mean more fittings and a longer timeline than standard.
- See and touch samples — we recommend visiting our Seoul clinic to see and handle samples before you decide. Visits are by appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Can a silicone prosthesis be made after losing the shoulder joint?
Yes. As in this case, a cosmetic prosthesis can run from shoulder to fingertips. The approach depends on the shape of your affected area, so we assess it at consultation.
Can I move the arm with it?
The prosthesis in this case is cosmetic: it restores shape and does not move by itself.
How long does it take?
The standard process is three visits over about 4–6 weeks. Where casting is difficult, as here, extra fittings can make it take longer.
Will it ease back or neck discomfort?
Balance and pain have many possible causes, so we cannot say a prosthesis alone will change them. Please speak to your doctor.
