Limb prosthetics in animals
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Authors
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Shobha Jawre
Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur-482 004 (Madhya Pradesh)
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Apra Shahi
Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur-482 004 (Madhya Pradesh)
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Randhir Singh
Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur-482 004 (Madhya Pradesh)
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Babita Das
Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur-482 004 (Madhya Pradesh)
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Apoorva Mishra
Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur-482 004 (Madhya Pradesh)
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Priyanka Pal
Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur-482 004 (Madhya Pradesh)
Keywords:
Animal rehabilitation, Endoprosthesis, Exoprosthesis, Limb prosthetics, OrthoticsAbstract
Mobility is essential for maintaining a healthy and active life in animals. Given their relatively long lifespan and substantial body weight, prolonged discomfort and immobility can have serious consequences for their overall well-being and quality of life. Limb loss, most commonly resulting from trauma (65%) and neoplasia (35%), is a major cause of permanent disability and impaired mobility in animals. In recent years, restoration of mobility and improvement of quality of life have become important concerns for animal owners. This has led to the increasing use of exoprostheses and endoprostheses in veterinary practice. Although orthotics and prosthetics are well-established fields in human medicine, their application in veterinary medicine remains relatively underexplored. In India, veterinary orthotics and prosthetics are still in an emerging phase, with considerable scope for research, innovation, and clinical application. Exoprostheses are relatively easy to fabricate and affordable; however, they have certain limitations, including stump pain, soft-tissue irritation and damage, skin necrosis, and infection arising from the stump-socket interface. An alternative approach that eliminates the need for a stump socket interface is osseointegrated prosthetic limb attachment, in which the artificial limb is directly anchored to the residual bone. Osseointegration is commonly achieved using titanium-based implants, which establish a strong and stable interface with bone, thereby providing effective load transmission and improved limb function. One of the most recent advances in endoprosthetic limb rehabilitation is the Intraosseous Transcutaneous Amputation Prosthesis (ITAP), which combines direct skeletal attachment with a transcutaneous interface and has the potential to overcome several limitations associated with conventional socket-based prostheses. With increasing advances in biomaterials, implant design, and regenerative technologies, veterinary orthotics and prosthetics are emerging as promising fields of clinical research. In India, veterinarians and researchers are increasingly exploring innovative approaches in orthotics and prosthetics, with the potential to position the country as a global hub for afford able and innovative solutions for animal mobility and rehabilitation.
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