Unhappy with a previous hand prosthesis? What to look for next time
A prosthetic hand usually looks unnatural for one of three reasons: its shape, its weight and texture, or its skin tone. At Silobionic we shape the prosthesis from a mould of your other hand, fill it with the same silicone all the way through for a natural weight, and match skin tone with digital E-SKIN measurement. Here is how that made a difference for a customer who had tried several prostheses elsewhere.
What was our customer unhappy with?
Our customer lost part of a hand in an accident at work. Over many years he had several prostheses made elsewhere, but even though they were custom-made, they kept looking slightly unnatural, and the finger shapes he wanted never quite came through.
We began by listening carefully to what had disappointed him before. Then we were honest about what a silicone prosthesis could and could not solve, before starting work.
Three reasons a prosthesis looks unnatural
| Cause | Why it looks wrong | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | A standardised shape never quite matches your own hand | We mould your other hand and recreate its shape |
| Weight & texture | A silicone skin over a core of another material feels and weighs differently from a real hand | We fill it with the same medical-grade solid silicone all the way through |
| Skin tone | If the colour differs from your other hand or the skin around the affected area, the edge shows | We measure with E-SKIN (SPECTROMATCH, UK) and consider both your other hand and the surrounding skin |
What do we check before the final prosthesis?
We do not go straight from casting to the final piece. You first wear a check socket (a temporary trial socket) to feel the length, thickness and pressure for yourself, and your feedback goes into the finished prosthesis.
It is held on by suction against your hand, so it stays in place without any separate straps or fixings.
What was the result?
After colour refinement, we finished the prosthesis so both hands look natural together when placed side by side. Our customer told us it also feels comfortable to wear. We aim for a result that is difficult to tell apart from a real hand, but results vary from person to person.
Having a prosthesis remade? Five things to check
- Shape — is it moulded from your other hand, or taken from a set template?
- Core — is it silicone all the way through, or just a silicone skin?
- Skin tone — how is your colour measured and matched?
- Trial fitting — is there a temporary fitting before the final piece is made?
- Aftercare — how are after-sales support and remakes handled?
At Silobionic, fabricating a full hand prosthesis takes about 15 days, and the whole process from consultation to delivery takes about 4–6 weeks over three standard visits (1–2 weeks with express production).
How do I start?
Send us a photo of your affected area and tell us what bothers you now, and we will work out the right approach together. Customers in Korea whose prosthesis is covered by industrial accident insurance (Korea’s public compensation scheme for workplace injuries) can also get guidance on the paperwork during consultation.
Frequently asked questions
I am not happy with a prosthesis made elsewhere. Can you make a new one?
Yes. We start by hearing what disappointed you, explain honestly what a silicone prosthesis can and cannot solve, and then begin work.
What difference does a solid silicone core make?
A silicone skin over a different core material tends to feel and weigh differently from a real hand. Filling it with the same silicone throughout gives a more natural weight and texture.
How do you match my skin tone?
An E-SKIN scanner (SPECTROMATCH, UK) measures your skin tone digitally, and we take into account both your other hand and the skin around the affected area.
Will it fall off easily?
It is held on by suction against your hand, so it stays in place without separate fixings. The fit is checked in advance at the check-socket stage.
Can you help if my prosthesis is covered by Korean industrial accident insurance?
Yes. If you are preparing a prosthesis through industrial accident insurance in Korea, we will guide you through the paperwork during consultation.
