Prosthetics Clinic

At Phoenix Children’s Prosthetics Clinic, we care for patients from birth into adulthood who have congenital limb differences, limb loss secondary to post-traumatic injuries, infection, cancer or other acquired conditions, or those who need limb reconstruction/prosthetic reconstruction surgery. Whether your child needs a prosthetic (artificial limb or device) for the first time, or they require a replacement due to growth or a desire to participate in new activities, we’re here to help. We work to improve your child’s range of motion and their ability to play, function independently, and pursue activities they love. We can also help young adults who have congenital conditions, limb differences, or who need an amputation that other orthopedic surgeons don’t feel comfortable doing.

Limb Conditions

We treat all types of limb conditions, including:

  • Amputations: A new or previous removal of a limb or body part
  • Upper and lower limb deformities: Limbs that may be missing in whole or in part, and limbs shaped differently
  • Limb length discrepancy: One arm or leg is longer than the other
  • Lower limb difference: The leg, knee, ankle or foot is not shaped in the usual way
  • Missing joints: The place where two bones meet is missing
  • Missing upper or lower limbs: One or both arms and/or legs
  • Severe joint instability: Muscles and ligaments become weak and have trouble holding the ankle, hip or knee in place
  • Upper limb difference: The shoulder, arm or hand is not shaped in the usual way

Limb Loss

  • Amniotic band syndrome: Strands of the mother’s amniotic sac (which protects a baby in the womb) detach and wrap around parts of the baby, affecting the formation of arms, legs, fingers and toes
  • Congenital limb difference: An arm or leg does not form correctly as the baby grows in the uterus, and in some cases, one limb is longer than the other
  • Limb loss following cancer involving the extremities: Often due to large cancers that affect a large area of the bone, nerves or blood vessels
  • Limb loss following failed limb reconstruction surgery: Due to chronic pain, infection, failure of the bone to heal correctly, or nerve or blood vessel damage
  • Post-infectious limb loss: The loss of a limb due to a severe infection, such as sepsis
  • Post-traumatic limb loss: The loss of a limb due to an accident or injury

Sometimes children or teens lose their limbs due to accidents or medical conditions that make amputation necessary. These situations are rare, and the decision is always made with the goal of protecting a child’s health, comfort and future well-being.

Common reasons a child may need an amputation include:

  • Cancer: Including osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma, aggressive cancers that spread to the bone, or tumors invade important nerves or blood vessels, making it impossible to save the limb
  • Infections: A child’s risk of a dangerous infection spreading into the bloodstream is high, resulting in the possibility of amputation to prevent the spread of the infection
  • Multiple failed surgeries to reconstruct the limb: Amputation is required if surgeons are unable to help the limb function as it should
  • Pain: A child experiences recalcitrant pain (pain that does not improve) in the limb after multiple previous surgeries or nerve injuries
  • Traumatic injuries: Such as the loss of a limb in a motor vehicle crash, lawn mower accident or fire, or a child’s finger is severely injured when caught in a door
  • Vascular (blood vessel) disease: Tangled arteries and veins, called vascular malformations, and other issues interfere with blood circulation, including hemihypertrophy, in which one side of the body grows larger than the rest of the body