Allie Gray
Mr. Reuter
Economics
29 September 2015
Impact of Prosthetics
Every year, there are more and more people who require prosthetics. In the US alone, there are close to 2 million people living without one or more of their limbs. Of those people, close to 54% of them had to have it amputated due to vascular disease. Another 45% of the people lost theirs due to trauma, and the remaining few most likely lost theirs to cancer. One of the sad things is that nearly 9,000 of the victims of amputation are children who either will live their lives without a prosthetic or will be paying for one their entire life.
Unfortunately though, not all of the people who lost their limb(s) are able to afford prosthetics. The reason is because the high price. It’s not that there isn’t any competition, but it has more to do with the fact that every prosthetic has to be customized to the person who will be wearing it. If it weren’t for that fact, the prosthetics would be mass produced, therefore bring down the price. With prosthetics, it’s a big trade off of money for the quality of the prosthetic. Of course, there are the cheaper versions that are the most basic, but they won’t do much for a person. There are the more expensive ones which can range from $10,000 to $100,000 and let you do a lot more, such as grip items, pick them up, and some even can be hooked up to the brain allowing the person to feel what the prosthetic is feeling. On the other hand, a $5,000 to $7,000 prosthetic will allow the person to walk, or look like they have the missing limb, but it doesn’t do much of anything. This video will explain a bit about the prosthetics and what it’s like to be an amputee.
One important thing is that prosthetics aren’t made to last a lifetime. Most prosthetics are made to last five years at most. Though it is possible for them to last, the likelihood of that happening is slim. The supplies for the prosthetics are limited, as each one is unique, but the demand for one is much greater. In addition, the market for the prosthetics has a rather high consumer surplus. Currently, biomedical engineers are working on trying to make the prosthetics cheaper and more durable, but until then, the prosthetics will remain costly for those who need them.
"Amputee Makes History with APL's Modular Prosthetic Limb." Amputee Makes History with APL's Modular Prosthetic Limb. 16 Dec. 2014. Web. 29 Sept. 2015.
"Limb Loss Statistics." Amputee Coalition. Amputee Coalition. Web. 29 Sept. 2015.
McGimpsey, Grant, and Terry Bradford. "Limb Prosthetics Services and Devices." NIST. NIST. Web. 29 Sept. 2015.
"Prosthetic Limbs, Controlled by Thought." The New York Times. The New York Times, 20 May 2015. Web. 29 Sept. 2015.
"The Cost of a New Limb Can Add up Over a Lifetime." Hospital for Special Surgery. ABC News, 25 Apr. 2013. Web. 29 Sept. 2015.
Vateta, Erick. "Prosthetic Arm - A Man Paralyzed For Ten Years Can Now Feel His Robotic Fingers When Touched - Kachwanya.com | Kenya Tech News." Kachwanyacom Kenya Tech News RSS. 15 Sept. 2015. Web. 29 Sept. 2015.
This was a really interesting topic to read about. I never knew that prosthetics was so expensive and that the more advance it was like being able to grip items and pick them up as you mentioned, would cost even more. It’s really sad to think about how children are mostly amputated and are struggling everyday to live without a limb. However, when I watched that video, it was amazing to see how the prosthetic was able to pick up his movement and moved his arm. When he would open and close his hand or even when he picked up the blocks, it was really interesting to see how a robot arm is able to detect that and make him move like an actual human.
ReplyDeleteI liked the topic, and overall it was good, but when talking about the trade off's, what is the actual trade off? Everything we do involves money, so if the trade off is money that really isn't much of a trade off, what exactly are we losing or gaining in this deal? But otherwise it was good.
ReplyDeleteIt's really weird that the prosthetic only last five years, how could they make them last longer? I feel like the prices are way to much for five years...Could the prices be higher because less people are willing to pay?
ReplyDeleteI think it's terrible that amputees have to pay such a high price for a prosthetic limb. However, it does make sense that they are so expensive, due to the fact that each one has to be custom made. But what about the people that can't afford these costly prosthetics? They have to figure out a way to adapt to a live where they don't have one of their limbs, and that probably makes it an even more traumatic experience when they don't have access to prosthetics. However, I think it is really interesting how the most expensive prosthetics have the ability to be hooked up to your brain so that you can feel what the prosthetic is feeling. Overall very interesting topic to read about!
ReplyDeleteObviously I have heard about prosthetic before but I have never heard about how much they actually cost or how long they are useful before you need a new one. It is amazing that they are so advanced that they can be connected to the brain and sensory nerves to allow the person to control it like a real limb, but the cost of them are insane. It wonder if they will ever be able to mass produce the basic of the prosthetic and customize it from there or if that would coat just as much as it does now?
ReplyDeleteWhile they have to be fit to the individual, I think that the costs will go down as the process of creating one gets more simplified. As you stated, there are prosthetic that do basically nothing and those that can grip and have you feel what is being grabbed. There might be some who are fine with a prosthetic that does nothing. Also with the prosthetic lasting about five years, it's a constant investment that could cost you 100000 dollars every five years.
ReplyDeleteCreative topic. It was a eye opener to see the real cost of what these can be. I believe that the debt created in order to have one if a vital trade off. I think it is important that private companies work hard to lower the cost of these items. If they do these will become more accessible to everyone who needs them, allowing them to continue working. Great topic.
ReplyDeleteProsthetics are a great way to help people missing a limb or more. It’s difficult for people who make prosthetics to lower the prices on them because they’re custom made. Everyone has different measurements for their arms or legs, especially because there are children to adults who receive these. If there was a way to mass produce them in various “sizes” to lower prices for people who really need them, then the biomedical engineers should make that happen.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize that prosthetics could cost up to 100,000$, I knew they were relatively expensive due to the heavy customization though. But what about 3D printing? There have been a few stories about people getting 3D printed prosthetics that are fully functioning. Could that be an alternative? Because 3D printing is becoming so advanced so quickly, could they achieve the sensation of touch? They have the ability to move and pick things up already, could they be made to be just like an actual arm but without the massive price tag?
ReplyDeleteGood topic but is there really anything we can do to bring down the price if each one has to be custom made? You can bring down the price as technology improves and they become easier to make so labor cost go down. But the resources will always be limited so how can the price drop too a level where most people can afford? I'm just wondering if the resources used to make the prosthetics can be substituted for cheaper resources without a huge dip in quality.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great topic. I never quite realized just how expensive prosthetic were. Paying $100,000 is a ridiculous amount and I think that private companies and corporations should really work hard to make prosthetic that are cheaper but can still aid the recipient. I find it very odd that prosthetic last for such a short amount of time, you would think that something so expensive would last for decades. Does this mean that after 5 years or so the consumer has to pay thousands of dollars more just to buy another prosthetic?
ReplyDeleteThis topic definitely caught my attention; I had no idea that prosthetic limbs were so expensive. It's unfortunate that of the 2 million amputees in the world, most will never be able to afford the more advanced artificial limbs that behave like real arms or legs would. The price of the limbs versus having the best possible prosthetic is definitely a big opportunity cost. Patients would have to debate whether it was worth it to pay for the expense of prosthetics or to try to adjust to everyday activities without functional limbs. If the main reason for their high costs is because they need to be customized, companies should look into making prosthetics that have standard sizes and are easily adjusted to fit the patient. It would allow the limbs to be mass produced, and offer more job opportunities for the people who want to "tailor" or resize the prosthetics.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting topic. I never knew that prosthetics costed so much money, and only lasted normally up to five years for that matter. If there is a way we can lower the cost while keep production rates and quality at a high level then by all means we should be implementing that as soon as possible. But is there really any way we can do that while still making enough profit?
ReplyDeleteI was surprised when reading this, as I did not know most of this information. The thing that surprised me most was that these fake limbs only last five years, if someone without a lmb is going to be paying upwards of $100,000 they ought to last long then that. Secondly I think the concept of creating a fake limb that can actually feel stuff, is amazing and really interesting, like how do they make that work? It’s definitely a weird science, but also really cool. I think they should make these cheaper though, especially for people who served our country and things of that sort, lots of soldiers come home and have no money, and if they lost a limb in the process they are for sure not going to be able to afford it, and that’s sad.
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ReplyDeleteThis is a very eye catching topic, it's hard to believe that people with such a cruddy situation have to pay the price literally with the amount it costs for prosthetic. It's good to know that once this technology will advance that hopefully the prices will go down once they figure out how to create cheaper alternatives and also produce more because like you said they are fairly limited and hard to come by.
ReplyDeleteThis topic was very interesting, I was not surprised that the prices for these prosthetic limbs are very expensive. I know many people are unable to use a prosthetic because the remainder of their extremity is too small. Those who are able to use one should not have to pay a high price for something that can improve their function and their way of life. It is amazing how far we have come to actually be able to move prosthetic limbs to function the way people want. They should lower the prices because you would think the scientists who have made this possible would want to help as many people as they could with their discoveries.
ReplyDeleteI found this topic to be very interesting to read about, however, it was also very sad. I didn’t realize that so many people in the country suffered with having to get amputations and live with prosthetic limbs. It is obviously very expensive to buy a prosthetic limb, however, I wonder what the opportunity cost of not getting one is. It may result in them not being able to do as much work as effectively, thus not being able to make as much money; the money they could use to buy prosthetic limbs. In all, I found this post to be very eye opening and informative and it makes me really consider the disadvantages people with prosthetic limbs and hopefully sooner than later we will be able to find a way to produce the limbs for cheaper and make them more durable and long lasting.
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ReplyDeleteThe high prices of prosthetics are, for the most part, unavoidable. As you mentioned, the products need to be functional, durable, and customized -- all of this hikes up production cost, making the price of the good higher. But considering the trade-off for an amputee -- more difficult day-to-day mobility -- the the price of prosthetics could be considered inelastic: as a near necessity, no matter the price, most people will still be willing to buy these goods. Hopefully there will be improved technology in the future to decrease the price of production, thus lowering the equilibrium price so the people who need these items will not have to suffer as much financially.
Unfortunately for people in that situation they need to make a choice if it is really worth having the prosthetic. The sad thing is that society looks at them differently if they do not have one so I think the first thing we as a society need to fix is how we view the disabled. I understand that some people do not have the money for a state of the art prosthetic and they should not be looked at any differently because they don't have one. There is a high pressure for people that cannot afford them and they should not feel that since they are already in a difficult situation.
ReplyDeleteThis seems like a very interesting topic. I am not surprised by the cost of the prosthetics because they have to be completely customized to fit you, but I am surprised by how long they last. If you are going to spend thousands of dollars on a prosthetic that is made just for you, you'd think they would make it to last the rest of your life.
ReplyDeleteYou brought up a really good point in your essay when you stated that not all prostics are the same. I never really, personally, ever thought about that but it is true. Everyone is different and they can't make prosthetic to fit everyone's body. I never realized this is the reason why they are so expensive and rare. Not only does a person who has lost a limb now have to live a life without that limb, but if they want a prosthetic they have to pay thousands of dollars for it. That's a ridiculous amount to pay when these people are already in a hard situations. My question is is how can we make this more affordable for people without limbs? How can we make this miracle come alive and a reality? Is there another payment method for the prosthetic? Is there a way the government could pay for these or help?
ReplyDeleteIt is crazy that someone would have to pay that much money for a prosthetic limb. And it shocked me that they are only made to last 5 years or less, and for that amount of money they should last forever. As time goes on and technology increases hopefully the price can lower so that the people that need prosthetics can get them and not have to pay a crazy amount of money.
ReplyDeleteI was very shocked about how much money prosthetic limbs cost. This was very eye opening and I couldn't believe that there was over 2 million people living without limbs and that you could have prosthetic that connect to your brain so that you could have feelings in your limbs again. Without them you can't do day to day activities without these prosthetic so I feel like most people would be willing to pay the high price for them. With the technology advancing hopefully they can produce prosthetic that will last an individual longer than five years. This would save the person the money of having to buy a new prosthetic every five years. When this technology comes around in the future hopefully the cost will come down, and it will become more affordable for those individuals.
ReplyDeleteI think you had an interesting topic and brought up an interesting point when talking about the unfortunate circumstance many limbless people find themselves in. Only a top notch prosthetic will give that person a true sense of having that limb back, but they are much too expensive for a majority of people. I agree that while other less expensive options are readily available, the more high quality prosthetics should have a lower price so that every amputee can live as if they had full use of all their limbs. One thing to note is that a higher demand for prosthetics would create a shortage, not a surplus.
ReplyDeleteI think that you mistakenly identified a shortage as a consumer surplus, while this isn't necessarily incorrect, the proper term to use would be shortage. I wonder what the impact of prosthetics are on the value of the services an amputee can perform. It would be interesting to see the productivity difference between amputees with and without prothetics, as well as those with different types. Obtaining a prosthetic would be considered an advancement in technology for the individual, so we would expect more advanced prothetics to increase the productivity of an amputee.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad that a prosthetic has to be so expensive, but because they have to be so unique and customized it makes sense that the production cost is so high. It is sad because the opportunity cost of buying a prosthetic is nothing next to the convenience and joy that a prosthetic will bring the amputee. The trade-off of not buying a prosthetic would be not having comfortable mobility or the ability to do everyday activities, which is well worth the price. It is also hard to hear that people needing them cannot afford them. With no competition, it makes you wonder if it is expensive because of the supplies or because of the fact that consumers cannot get this product anywhere else so this business is able to hike up the price and people will be forced to pay for it. I think if the government places a higher demand on prosthetic limbs, the scarcity of these limbs will go down.
ReplyDeleteProsthetic limbs is a very interesting topic because very few people in our school have to worry about purchasing one. You did a good job analyzing the economics of prosthetic limbs, however I would disagree and say that there is competition in the market for prosthetics. There are many different companies that make fake limbs and they have to compete with each other. Because the demand is high, I think it's safe to conclude that lots of money, time, and effort has been put into improving technology to decrease the supply curve and eliminate the shortage.
ReplyDeleteThere are defiantly some opportunity costs and trade offs with prosthetic limbs. You highlighted a lot of really good points in you post about the low competition and the effect on the economy.But the trade offs are what I feel is more important. Is it really fair to price something that benefits a small population so high. It's bad enough that don't have an arm or a leg, than they have to pay and arm and a leg to get one. Put the trade of is not having the mobility that is free to everyone else. It's sad when you think of it but that's how the world works it's all about the money and it's benefits.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your topic because it is not something most individuals think about unless they are in need of one. It is very interesting how many people have received prosthetic due to how expensive they are. As technology is improving, possibly there will be something to decrease the price of production so those who are in need of prosthetic won't suffer financially and there will be more availability. Your essay really made me think about what the opportunity cost of not getting one would be. In addition, I would have to disagree with your statement that there is no competition in this market. I'm sure there are various companies that make prosthetics and each company must compete with each other to get more business by improving their products. Overall, great job and you had a really strong topic with good analysis.
ReplyDeleteI found your blog post very interesting. I didn't realize how expensive prosthetic limbs can be and I was especially surprised at their lack of durability and ability to last for a long time. You would think that at such a high price they would be able to last for at least 20 or more years. Your topic is a great example of an inelastic product. Prosthetic limbs are, more often than not, a necessity and there aren't really any substitutes other than to go through life significantly handicapped. Because of this people are willing to pay a lot more so an increase in price doesn't significantly affect demand. This is obviously a problem but I believe the only solution is a more efficient way of production. Until production becomes easier, suppliers are not going to be willing to reduce the selling price.
ReplyDeleteScarcity is another topic to bring forward. Are the items that are used to make the prosthetic rare, or is it medical companies charging too much for profit? I know that the technology that connects to their brain and allows them to feel is an expensive technology, but if it were help someone walk and it was only made out of silicon, metal and rubber, it would not cost as much. If the scarcity of materials is low, or the people that produce them are low, the cost would increase, but if they had more programs to sponsor bio medical engineering degrees in college, maybe the demand would be met, thus producing more money for companies and is also able to pay the engineers. This would advance not only the medical field but the economy. Also if they were connected with the VA, they could help sponsor injured veterans with the profit they made.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't aware of how expensive prosthetic limbs were and I'm concerned to why they cost that much to begin with... If they're in such high demand why don't we prioritize on making more of them rather than something else we could sacrifice? Surely we could allow someone without an arm have a cheap and effective prosthetic that lasts a long time, and could possibly cut back on how many computers we make? The only problem with this approach is that unless you're affected by a lost limb or know someone with a certain disability relating to a prosthetic you're less likely to be moved to push for them to be cheaper... Maybe in the future we could prioritize prosthetic limbs for those who are in dire need of them.
ReplyDeleteI found this topic very interesting, and a good amount of information to know. I never realized how expensive prosthetic limbs could be. It's crazy to look at all that money being put into a prosthetic but it only lasts for a couple years. In a way it makes sense because you brought up the point that not all people and not every prosthetic is going to fit every person the right way. It is a quick way to make money though since it is can be a high demand when needed with the limited resources. I think that this is an issue because the amount of money put into something like this should not be that huge, but until the making of prosthetic easier, suppliers are going to continue to get as much money as possible.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting topic, it's crazy to see how much people have to pay to live a normal life if they are in need of a prosthetic. It's clear that the supply is limited, and the opportunity cost of creating a prosthetic is very high right now, so hopefully companies will find ways to make the production of prosthetic products cheaper. This is a very inelastic good, so consumers will have to deal with the high prices until a better option is available.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize how many people were actually in need of prosthetic limbs, and it's even worse that the prices are so high for all of these people. I feel as though the government should put in a price ceiling to help some people but limbs that don't have enough money. This may create a shortage until better technology is created to make them cheaper, but at least they'll be cheaper for the people that can still buy them.
ReplyDeleteIt's incredible how many people need prosthetic limbs because of these various reasons. On top of the most likely already piling up medical bills, their limited mobility, and the mental effects of losing a limb, they must worry about the cost of regaining some basic motor skills. However, it does make a bit of sense why prosthetic limbs are so expensive, considering the important feature of their customization, compared to being mass-produced like many other products. Hopefully in the near future we will have developed enough technology to provide more affordable and useful prosthetics to people that need them.
ReplyDeleteI found it very interesting how many people are living with a lost limb(s). It is even worse that a good portion of them are unable to pay for a prosthetic. It would be great if the government would put in a price ceiling so it it more affordable for people to get prosthetic limbs. With the increase of technology there should be better ways for people to get these limbs and at a cheaper price. There is not really an alternative to prosthetic limbs, therefore putting them at a lower price would help those who need them.
ReplyDeleteWow, I never knew that a prosthetic limb could connect to the nerves of the brain and send messages allowing the limb to move. The video you linked was incredible, there really has been an advance in technology and I can't imagine how many more people these prosthetic limbs could help as time goes on. I think it was a unique point you brought up how prosthetic can't be mass produced because they connect to each individual differently. Maybe in the future, companies will be able to decipher different body types so that they can mass produce and lower the price.
ReplyDeleteBefore reading this article I really didn't realize how much prosthetic limbs cost, and how many people need them. As you pointed out, it becomes a tricky situation because each person needs their own customized product. For these people, they probably already have so many medical bills, and possibly not being able to work...how can people afford a prosthetic? As demand increases hopefully there is some way biomedical engineers can come up with a product that doesn't have to be customized for each person. I know you mentioned that in the US alone that there are at least 2 million people living without one or more limbs, it would be interesting to see statistics for other parts of the world. With all the increased technology worldwide, you'd think that there would be a way to make this product somewhat more affordable for consumers.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was reading this article, I became fairly surprised that many people were unable to afford prosthetic limbs. It saddens me to think that there are people out there who are unable to feel what it is like to have one of their limbs. I understand that they are very costly to make because they are all different, but I wish there was a way that the price could drop even more so that more people could receive the prosthetic limbs. It shocks me that so many people do not have prosthetic limbs but wish that they could, so I feel that people need to find a way to reduce the price, somehow. Overall, I think you wrote this piece very well and left me wondering what it would be like not being able to afford a prosthetic limb, but needing one.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised that the prosthetic limbs only last for a maximum of five years. With this detail many people will have to spend a majority of their income, if they are able to work, just to do daily tasks. Also these people would need to shop for less expensive substitutes everyday instead of spending a little more on food or clothing. Although it would be easier if the products were massed produced it would most likely not benefit most of the customers because every limb would need to be different for each customer. Mass product would tarnish the quality of the product.
ReplyDeleteHey Allie,
ReplyDeleteYour article was really interesting. I knew that prosthetics were always hard to come by, but not because of the price. Considering the time and resources that go into creating a single, the price seems fair, but highly inaccessible to most people who require them most. Learning that a lot research is going on toward furthering the practicality of prosthetics is good to hear. This would be an great topic to look into in the coming decade! Again, great article!
This was a really cool article, it's nice to see advancements in this area and how well it can help people who have lost limbs in accidents or in the military. It is kind of depressing that prosthetic limbs can cost so much, but with the time and effort put into it the price does make sense. It also surprised me that they don't last a long time, before reading this I really thought that a prosthetic would last a lifetime as long as it wasn't outgrown or broken, making it even more depressing that they cost so much. It would be nice to see a more mass-produced and cheaper version of this so it would become more accessible
ReplyDeleteI never would have thought of the connection between these two topics. I always knew that they were expensive, but usually the exact price and demand for then never came up in Grey's Anatomy. It seems like a fair price for the amount of work and technology that goes into these pieces, but just seems like a huge amount of money to put towards a five year investment. However, I am glad to hear that they are trying to develop a way to make them more durable. On the other hand, a mass production of these to reduce prices would most likely result in pieces that are not durable and poor quality, so maybe the most long term solution is to make them more durable (which will raise the prices), but at least that money is well invested and you won't have to keep paying every 5 years. I wonder if there is some way to get a long lasting quality, but not exponentially raise these prices. Maybe this could be a possibility in the near future.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad to see that even though they are a great technology of course are worth a lot, and have great value, that they are that expensive because they are a necessity for some people. I think even though they are worth a lot, and have great technology, that they should have a market price as cheap as possible because they are a need for some people. So the companies making these should market them high enough that the company can thrive and keep going, but not to much to the point that they are out of reach financially for most people.
ReplyDeleteThis was a cool topic to read about. It was a lot different than many of the others that I have read. I can't believe how many people are living without limbs and can't even imagine having a prosthetic limb. It surprised me how much money certain ones can cost. I knew that they were expensive but I didn't think that they would cost so much. I also didn't know that they didn't last forever. That is really hard for those who have to continue paying for more after a few years to get them replaced. In the future I would hope that people are able to figure out how to make them last forever just so people don't have to worry about the cost of buying a new one every couple years.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that there were as many as 2 million people in the U.S. that live without a limb. Up to $100,000 for a prosthetic.. that's insane. I also can't believe that prosthetics aren't made to last a lifetime.. it's not like someone is just going to regrow their limb. I do wonder though, do they not last a lifetime because of what they are made out of, or because they design them to be not so durable in order for them to have to come back and buy another? I think it would be great if we could have things mass produced to lower the cost, but as you said, it needs to be custom fit for every person out there.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up a good point about a topic that a lot of us aren’t very familiar on. I agree with you when you say that a lot of people who lose a limb find it harder to complete everyday tasks and it is very unfortunate. Most of the time only a very expensive prosthetic will give the patient the true feeling of having the limb replaced. Although the controversy of this is that many people cannot afford such an item and resort to purchasing a cheaper less effective prosthetic limb.
ReplyDeleteBefore reading this essay, I had no idea that prosthetic legs/arms cost that much. I also didn't know over 2,000 people needed them. I think that more people should be aware on how many people need prosthetic and how pricey they can be because it feels like most people aren't aware of that.
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ReplyDeleteI was surprised that there is such a high demand for prosthetic limbs. I wonder if they could make a prosthetic that could be massed produced by including in the design of the prosthetic limb adjustable components so that the limb could be adjusted to each person. That would increase the supply of the product and decrease its price which would in turn attract more consumers because it would be more affordable.
ReplyDeleteI was always curious as to how long prosthetics last, and was surprised to find out they only last about five years. Why is that? Also, what supplies are scarce, because you mentioned there is a high demand for them but not a lot of supply? I think it's more of the customization that makes the production so little, not the lack of supplies. They need to think of a way to produce prosthetics that fit more than one person and can adjust. Great topic!
ReplyDeleteThis was a really interesting post to read about as I for one didn't know that many people are living with the loss of a limb. Also dd not know that each prosthetic has to be individually customized for the person resulting in them being really expensive. However I feel like because there are so many people with the need of a prosthetic the prices should not be that high even if they have to be custom made.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this article I never realized how much it actually costed to make a prosthetic limb the price wanted for one is understandable because of all the time, effort, and even money that is put into making just one single limb is high. But the fact that one only lasts for five years is surprising never in my life would i have thought that they would only last five years. Im glad there was a lot of research and work done for these limbs because things could go wrong with them and make bad things happen to people. But some people wont have to worry about that because they wont be able to afford one which is not a good thing in some cases maybe some parents or adults want them for their kids but they cant afford them.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a really interesting topic that you chose! I don't really know much about prosthetics so I learned a lot just by reading your short article. It's amazing what they can do to make it feel like someone would has lost a limb feel like they have it again. It is weird though that with all the technology advancements we have, that they can not find a way to lower the price. I realize that it has to be custom fit but for a prosthetic to cost $100,000 and only last 5 years is ridiculous. I think it would be beneficial if the government stepped in and help make this more affordable for others.
ReplyDeletePerhaps if the prosthetics were to be standardized, the price would be drastically lowered so that anyone could afford one. There are many different companies trying to design and sell these prosthetics, so maybe a government version could be implemented into health care costs for amputees.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very interesting topic to touch on. I never knew that they were that expensive and that they have such a short life span. But to most people, quality of life is priceless and they will pay whatever they have to be as close to normal as possible.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Ross was saying that people will pay anything to try and live the same way they used to before they needed a prosthetic limb. before reading this i did not know much about this topic but it is a very interesting topic to cover because when you lose a limb what are you supposed to do, you are losing something that is a key component in life and losing one will make life a lot harder. I think that the government should help pitch in to make it more affordable for others that may not be as financially wealthy as others.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that this is really helping the environment with people who really need it. This will be beneficial for people who have stubs for arms as well as no legs. I also agree that we need to have this device cheaper especially since it only last for five years. This brings us to the demand curve where there is more and more people who want this but don't have enough money to afford it. I once read a book on wrestling about a NCAA college wrestler who took 1st at his National Tournament and ranked the number one seed. He is another person who is using this device and for him to pay something that isn't going to last that long is despicable. The only key thing I would mention is give some opinions on what other people think about this.
ReplyDelete-Mike Schall A3
It would be interesting to see if they make a prosthetic that adjusts to the user making it easier to produce causing a decrease in price. This would also allow for more prosthetics that are of a higher quality at a lower price. The demand for these could change depending on the current amount of injuries that require a prosthetic to replace. Events such as being in a war like the ones we are currently fighting could cause this as many wounded soldiers are from IED blasts that destroy limbs.
ReplyDeleteI feel as though it would be more beneficial to find a way to make the prosthetic more universal rather to find ways to make them out of cheaper materials or find a way to manufacture them for less. These variables would lower the cost by a small amount whereas if the engineers or whomever were to make prosthetic more universal and yet complex prosthetic products would be cheaper by a landslide.
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