Recovery after upper limb amputation moves through distinct phases. Each one builds on the last.

Research shows approximately 66% of people return to work following an upper limb amputation. The figure is higher for those who are fitted early, trained thoroughly, and supported by a multidisciplinary clinical team.

Emily Shannon, a certified prosthetist at our Orlando, Florida clinic, sees this pattern consistently in her patients.

The Hero PRO and Hero RGD were built for daily use. That includes work.

The Hero PRO and Hero RGD are the only fully wireless, waterproof bionic arms on the market. The wireless design removes cable systems and electrode leads from the socket, which reduces friction during active work and eliminates a common source of discomfort and failure in demanding environments. The Hero RGD adds enhanced durability for environments where impact, moisture, and heavy use are factors.

Both devices use the wireless MyoPods to detect muscle signals, which can be placed anywhere on the residual limb for optimal signal quality. The Sidekick App lets clinicians configure grip modes to match the specific tasks a patient needs to perform, whether that is precision pinch for delicate work or hook grip for carrying and lifting.

Lucy, who uses her Hero Arm as a warehouse worker at Screwfix, described what daily professional use actually looks like.

Daniel, who works as a technician, found the Hero Arm handled the two-handed demands of his role consistently.

Mike, a military veteran now using the Hero RGD, put 30 years of bionic arm experience into one observation.

Robert lost his hand in a fireworks accident on July 4, 2025. Five months later, he was controlling a myoelectric hand.

Robert owns a vending machine company with more than 250 machines across Jacksonville, Florida. He hauls product, installs compressors, fixes electrical issues, and physically manages day-to-day operations. On July 4, 2025, a mortar went off in his right hand and took approximately eleven inches of his arm. He is left-handed, which he credits with saving his other hand.

His attitude from the start was deliberate. “You cannot control stuff. Things happen in your life and nothing is going to change it. Nothing is going to grow my arm back. The only thing I have control over is my attitude. Right from the beginning I said, we are not getting depressed. We are making jokes about it.”

The accident changed how he works. “With our business, I am the guy that fixes everything and keeps things going,” he said. “This has really been a setback having one hand. I get things done, but not as fast as I used to and I cannot do it all like I used to.”

But what hit him hardest was losing what mattered most outside of work. He and his wife Christina hunt whitetail in Georgia and fish offshore in Florida. He had a ticket to Alaska for the salmon run, booked before the accident. He was supposed to leave the following week. “Then I blew my arm off,” he said. “I was supposed to go. I’m still planning on going.”

When hospital staff suggested a basic training prosthesis to start, Robert declined immediately. “They said, just get this base model. As a beginner, just to see if you might like it. I said, no, I am not doing that. I already know that I need something useful.” His brother-in-law had already been researching options and pointed him toward Open Bionics. “He said, you need to look at these guys and talk to them. Right from the go, we were like, yeah, these are the people we want to work with for sure.”

At his fitting appointment in Orlando, he walked in carrying two fishing rods. What he needed from a device was clear: multiple grip patterns for tools and product, durability for working in Florida heat and wet environments, and waterproofing for boat decks, tree stands, and compressor installs. The Hero PRO, with its quick-disconnect wrist and modular activity attachment ecosystem, was the answer.

The Hero PRO was fully funded through his insurance. His clinical team fast-tracked his evaluation and fitting so Robert could receive his device before the end of the year and maximize his insurance benefits. He was just five months post-amputation at the time of fitting. His certified prosthetist Emily Shannon, at the Orlando clinic, spoke directly to what that early start makes possible.

Emily added that his goals were already shaping how the device was configured. “The fact that he is using this device so early in his recovery is a big deal, and it shows how motivated he is. He is already thinking about work tasks and fishing attachments. That is exactly why we wanted to fast-track this for him.”

Robert talks about what comes next with the same clarity he brought to his recovery. He wants to drive a forklift, lift cases of soda, and stock machines with both hands. He wants to stop putting all the strain on his left arm. He wants to stand in Alaska’s rivers with sockeye at his feet.

The right configuration depends on what your work actually requires.

Return-to-work planning works best when it starts from the specific demands of the job. A warehouse role has different grip and load requirements than an office environment. A tradesperson’s daily tasks differ from a teacher’s. Open Bionics clinicians configure devices around those real-world needs from the first fitting appointment.

Across job types, there are consistent patterns in what matters most:

Manual and trade roles benefit most from the Hero RGD’s enhanced durability, the hook grip mode for carrying and tool use, and the Hero Flex socket’s compatibility with activity-specific attachments. The waterproof design means the device can handle environments where conventional myoelectric arms would need to be removed.

Office and professional roles tend to prioritize precision pinch and tripod grips for typing, writing, and handling documents. The wireless design removes the bulk and discomfort of cable systems during extended desk work. Grip mode switching through the Sidekick App can be customized to minimize the number of transitions needed throughout the day.

Roles requiring public-facing interaction often see the greatest benefit from the confidence shift that comes with wearing a device that looks and performs the way the Hero PRO and Hero RGD do. Benjamin, who returned to previous activities he had given up after his amputation, described the broader impact in straightforward terms.

Reasonable accommodations can make the difference between a difficult return and a sustainable one.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, employers with 15 or more employees are required to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, including those returning after limb loss. Reasonable accommodations can include modified workstation setup, adjusted task assignments during early reintegration, altered schedules during the training phase, and ergonomic equipment.

Workers’ compensation cases involving upper limb amputation typically include vocational rehabilitation support. This can cover prosthetic fitting, occupational therapy, and retraining for a modified or alternative role where the original position is no longer accessible. If the amputation occurred on the job, your employer’s workers’ compensation carrier is required to coordinate this process.

It is worth having a frank conversation with your prosthetist and occupational therapist about your specific workplace before your return. Some clinicians will visit a worksite directly to assess task demands, which leads to better device configuration and a faster, more confident reintegration.

The earlier you begin, the better the outcome. A free consultation is the right starting point.

The research is consistent: early prosthetic fitting correlates with higher wear rates, better functional outcomes, and higher rates of return to employment. The first few months after an upper limb amputation are when habits, compensations, and adaptations are set. Starting the prosthetic process during that window gives you the best foundation.

Open Bionics operates specialist upper limb clinics across the United States. Every consultation is free. The clinical team will work with you to understand your job, your goals, and your timeline, and build a fitting and training plan around them.

If you are in the early stages of recovery and beginning to think about returning to work, a conversation with an Open Bionics clinician is a good place to start. If you are further along and considering an upgrade to the Hero PRO or Hero RGD, that conversation is just as valuable.

The terms transradial and transhumeral describe where the limb difference occurs, and that location changes everything.

A below-elbow limb difference (the acquired form is called transradial amputation) means the limb is absent or ends between the wrist and the elbow, whether from birth or through acquired limb loss. The elbow joint is intact. The muscles in the forearm that would normally control the wrist and hand are partially or fully present. That remaining musculature is what myoelectric devices use to generate control signals.

An above-elbow limb difference (the acquired form is called transhumeral amputation) means the limb is absent or ends between the shoulder and the elbow. The elbow joint is absent. Control signals must come from higher up in the arm, typically the biceps and triceps. A prosthetic device at this level needs to replace both elbow and hand function, which significantly increases the complexity of both the hardware and the control system.

Both levels are common across acquired and congenital presentations. The prosthetic path for each is distinct but well-established.

People with below-elbow limb differences retain the elbow joint, and Open Bionics fits below-elbow patients directly through its US clinics.

Retaining the elbow means the prosthetic system does not need to replicate elbow function, only the hand and wrist. Open Bionics’ socket is currently designed for below-elbow limb differences, where the complexity of an elbow joint is not a factor. The fully wireless MyoPods can be placed anywhere on the residual limb to detect muscle signals, which are then translated into grip patterns by the Hero PRO or Hero RGD. Most people learn to use this control system quickly, and with training it becomes intuitive.

The practical result is a device capable of handling real-world demands across work, daily life, and activity. Lucy, a Hero Arm user who works in a warehouse, described what that means in her day-to-day.

Daniel, who works as a technician, found the same was true in his field.

The effect goes beyond function. Jio, another Hero Arm user, described a shift in how he experienced himself outside of wearing the device.

We operate specialist upper limb clinics across the United States and fit people with below-elbow limb differences with the Hero Arm, Hero PRO, and Hero RGD. Each device is custom-fabricated to the individual’s residual limb, and all clinical appointments are included.

People with above-elbow limb differences face greater complexity, but their options have expanded significantly.

People with above-elbow limb differences face greater system complexity because the prosthesis must replace both elbow and hand function. Our Hero Flex socket is currently designed for below-elbow limb differences, as it does not include an elbow joint. The Hero PRO’s fully wireless MyoPods can be placed anywhere on the body to detect muscle signals, which is precisely what makes it well-suited as a terminal device in above-elbow systems built by partner prosthetists.

Traditional myoelectric systems for above-elbow users relied on sequential control: the user switches between elbow mode and hand mode using a dual muscle contraction. Every movement requires deliberate thought. More recent advances, including pattern recognition systems and targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR), have improved this significantly by creating additional control sites and allowing more natural, simultaneous movement.

Mike, a military veteran and Hero RGD user, has worn bionic arms for 30 years. His take on where the technology stands now is direct.

Eric made the trip from Michigan to Chicago with his father-in-law, who had lost his arm in a machine press over 50 years earlier and had never considered a bionic option. Eric described what that appointment meant for his family.

People with above-elbow limb differences can request the Hero PRO as a terminal device through an Open Bionics partner clinic.

Open Bionics fits people with below-elbow limb differences directly through its specialist US clinics. Above-elbow presentations require a prosthetist who can fit the full system including the elbow component, and Open Bionics supports those cases through its partner clinic network.

A recent case involving AlliedOP and Open Bionics illustrates how that works in practice. Angelo Russello, a senior prosthetist at AlliedOP, was referred an adult with an above-elbow limb difference who had researched the Hero PRO online and wanted to explore it as a terminal device option. She had reduced function in her sound arm, which made precise grip and daily task function a priority. Clinical evaluation showed limited viable control sites on her upper arm, which ruled out a fully powered myoelectric elbow.

A hybrid configuration offered the practical solution. The fully wireless design of the Hero PRO allowed both a body-powered hook and a myoelectric hand to be used through a single socket, connected via the standard quick-disconnect wrist adapter. The patient can switch terminal devices depending on the task.

Angelo worked closely with Daniel Green, a clinician at the Open Bionics New York clinic, to review compatibility and system setup throughout the process.

The single-socket hybrid approach also addressed practical constraints around insurance coverage and fabrication, reducing the need for additional sockets while supporting long-term adoption.

Regardless of the level, the most important factor in prosthetic success is the clinical team behind the device.

The hardware matters. The socket fit matters. Comfort matters more than almost anything else, because a device that does not feel right does not get worn, and a device that does not get worn cannot help anyone.

Beverley had worn prosthetic arms for over 40 years before switching to the Hero Arm. The difference she described was not just functional.

Kristin, a quad amputee, switches between her Hero PRO and a Hero Arm depending on the task. Her bionic arms helped her walk again.

What both levels share is the goal of getting the most out of life. Your clinical team at Open Bionics and our partner clinics will work with each person to fit the right device to your specific goals.

Knowing your level is helpful, but a free consultation is where you’ll learn your options.

Whether your limb difference is below or above the elbow, a conversation with a specialist is where you move from general information to a plan that fits your specific anatomy, goals, and life.

We operate specialist upper limb clinics across the United States. People with below-elbow limb differences can book a free consultation directly. Those with above-elbow limb differences can speak with their prosthetist about accessing the Hero PRO as a terminal device, or register on our website to stay updated on bionic hands for above-elbow users.

A prosthetic for a child is not a scaled-down version of an adult device. It has to work differently.

Children are active, fast-growing, and hard on equipment. They learn through play, movement, and doing things with their hands. A device that slows them down, feels uncomfortable, or requires constant management tends to get abandoned. Research published in the Journal of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America confirms this: smaller, lighter, and more durable prosthetic components are among the most pressing needs in pediatric prosthetics, and comfort is one of the primary drivers of wear time.

Modern myoelectric arms for children address these needs differently than older devices did. The Hero Arm uses EMG sensors to detect small muscle signals from the residual limb, translating them into finger movement and grip. The device is 3D-printed to fit each child’s individual anatomy, with a soft inner liner and ventilation built into the socket to keep it comfortable through active days. Most children learn to control it quickly, and with guidance from a clinical team, muscle control becomes intuitive.

One Hero Arm user, now wearing the Hero PRO, also reflected on what he wished had been available in childhood. “I remember wishing for that kind of precision when I was learning to ride a bike or carry a backpack,” Lucas said. “The control makes so many everyday tasks possible in a way older prosthetics could not.”

There is no single right age, but earlier conversations tend to lead to better outcomes.

The Hero Arm is available for children from age five, making it one of very few multi-grip myoelectric bionic arms clinically approved for pediatric use. Clinical literature supports early prosthetic fitting where appropriate, noting that early introduction promotes motor skill development and reduces overuse in the non-affected limb. That said, readiness matters more than age. A child who is curious and engaged will get far more from the process than one who feels pushed into it.

Children who have adapted extensively to life without a prosthesis, as many congenital limb difference children do, may approach the device differently than those who experienced limb loss later. Both paths are valid. The fitting process at Open Bionics is designed to meet children where they are, with clinical teams who work exclusively in upper limb prosthetics and have experience with both presentations.

None of these are requirements. A free consultation is the right place to explore whether the timing feels right for your family.

The impact on how a child sees themselves is often what parents remember most.

Research on pediatric prosthetics consistently points to psychosocial benefits as one of the most significant outcomes. A device that reflects a child’s personality, that they feel proud to show off rather than hide, changes how they carry themselves at school, with friends, and in new situations.

Daniel, whose daughter Phoebe was born with an upper limb difference, described the shift he witnessed after she received her Hero Arm.

Alexander, whose daughter also received a Hero Arm, shared a similar observation.

The Hero Arm‘s magnetic covers let children personalize their device, choosing a look that fits their style. The option to make the arm part of their identity rather than something separate from it matters to children in ways that are hard to quantify but easy to see.

What to expect from your first appointment through to delivery and training.

The journey to a first Hero Arm typically involves an initial consultation, a 3D scan of the residual limb, fabrication, a fitting appointment, and a delivery session that includes hands-on training. The process is designed to be straightforward for children and parents, with clinical staff who specialize exclusively in upper limb prosthetics.

Laura, whose six-year-old son received a Hero Arm, described the experience across multiple clinics.

Carrie, whose daughter received her first bionic arm at the Illinois clinic, noted the importance of the ongoing relationship with the clinical team.

Occupational therapists often support children during the early training period, helping build muscle control and practice everyday tasks. The Sidekick App supports ongoing calibration and training at home, making it easier to build confidence between clinical appointments.

Children with bionic arms ride bikes, play sports, go to school, and figure out the rest as they go.

One of the most common questions parents ask is whether a bionic arm will keep up with an active child. The short answer is yes. The Hero Arm can lift up to 8 kg and weighs just over 300 grams. Children have used it for gymnastics, taekwondo, archery, cycling, and everyday school tasks. For older children who meet the size requirements, the Hero Flex socket connects to activity-specific attachments, allowing a single device to adapt across different activities. Your clinician will advise on which device is the right fit for your child’s size and presentation.

Kiowa, an eleven-year-old who received Hero Flex arms through the Open Bionics Los Angeles clinic, uses them for biking, riding horses, practicing taekwondo, and archery. His mother Nicole put it simply: “He’s always been capable. This just gives him more freedom to do what he loves.”

Clinical literature supports this picture. Research from the Journal of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America notes that most children are able to successfully participate in a variety of recreational activities, including sports and music, while using their prostheses. Activity-specific prosthetic options have expanded significantly over the past decade, giving children more ways to participate fully in the things they enjoy.

As children grow, devices are refitted and updated. The clinical team at Open Bionics supports families through those transitions, which is part of why the relationship with a prosthetist matters as much as the device itself.

The consultation is where the questions get answered and the journey gets shaped.

Every child’s path is different. Some families come in with a clear idea of what they want. Others are still figuring out whether a bionic arm is the right step at all. Both are the right place to start a conversation.

Open Bionics operates specialist upper limb clinics across the United States. Consultations are free, and the clinical team works with families through the insurance process, the fitting, the training, and the long-term follow-up. If you are ready to find out what is possible for your child, a free consultation with an Open Bionics clinician is the starting point.

We get the skepticism. Body-powered and heavy myoelectric devices gave people reasons to doubt.

Many people who reach out to our prosthetists have tried a prosthetic before and left it in a closet. Perhaps the device was too heavy, the control was frustrating, the promise did not match the lived experience. After that, it is completely reasonable to approach new bionic technology with caution.

Matthew, a Hero Arm user, went years without a prosthetic after his first experience left him feeling like the device worked against him. When he eventually tried the Hero Arm, his perspective shifted.

His experience is common. The gap between what older myoelectric devices delivered and what current technology can do is significant. That gap is worth understanding before writing off the category entirely.

The questions people ask most often are the ones worth taking seriously.

These are the doubts that come up most often, along with what current myoelectric technology does in response to each one.

The clearest answers come from people who had doubts and tried it on anyway.

Sarah had gone ten years without being able to tie her shoelaces, close jewelry clasps, use utensils properly, or cut her own food. After getting her Hero Arm, she shared her experience publicly on social media.

Wiktoria had lived with a limb difference for 23 years before getting a Hero Arm. She had adapted so thoroughly that she was not sure a device would add much. Two years later, her view on that changed.

Douglas waited over five decades. His doubt was not impatience. It was the rational conclusion of someone who had watched the technology fall short for most of his adult life.

Your clinical team will fit you and train you on your bionic arm.

You do not have to figure it out on your own. When you are fitted with a bionic arm, you have a team behind you who is available to help with training after the delivery.

Benjamin returned to activities he had given up since his amputation. He described his Hero Arm as fitting him perfectly, incorporating features that made a real difference: multiple user modes, carbon fiber cables, and a device built specifically to his anatomy.

The fitting process at Open Bionics clinical locations is designed around your goals, not a generic checklist. Sensitivity is calibrated to your muscle signals. Grip modes are set up based on the tasks you most want to tackle. Training takes place in the clinic with a prosthetist present, and continues through the Sidekick App at home.

If the doubt you carry is about whether the device will work for your specific situation, the only way to know is to try it with a qualified prosthetist who can calibrate it to you. A free consultation is the starting point for that.

How to help your loved one try on a bionic arm.

Family members often research myoelectric arms before the person who would wear one does. They carry their own version of the doubt: worry about cost, about whether the device will actually get used, about whether the process is worth putting someone they love through.

Those concerns are worth taking seriously. Our consultation process is with a certified prosthetist who will answer your questions honestly. There is no pressure to commit. The goal is to give you and the person you are supporting enough information to make a decision that is right for your situation.

The Hero Arm and Hero PRO are covered by many US insurance plans. The clinical team can walk you through the coverage process and what to expect before any commitment is made.

Make the call.

You do not need to be convinced before speaking with a clinician. A free consultation is exactly the right place to bring your skepticism, questions, and specific concerns. That is what certified prosthetists are here for.

If you are ready to find out whether a Hero Arm or Hero PRO is right for you, speak with an Open Bionics clinician. The conversation costs nothing, and it starts with your goals, not ours.

Your everyday objects tell your prosthetist what a cup and fork cannot.

Prosthetic fittings — and particularly delivery appointments for myoelectric devices like the Hero Arm, Hero PRO, and Hero RGD — involve testing grip patterns, adjusting sensitivity, and learning how the device responds to your muscle signals.

What you can grip is important. A cup is a reasonable starting point, but it does not tell the full story of how you live. A fishing rod does. A set of jewelry-making tools does. An insulin pen does.

Emily Shannon, a certified prosthetist at the Open Bionics clinic in Orlando, Florida, encourages her patients to bring specific items to their delivery appointments. The practice came from watching patients engage more deeply when the tasks felt personally relevant.

It makes a big difference in engagement and the training that follows. When a patient picks up something they care about using, the session becomes more focused and goal-oriented. It is no longer just a demonstration.

There is no definitive list. Start with the tasks you most want to get back.

The right objects depend on your life, your work, and the tasks you most want to address. These categories are a useful starting point.

Children’s items are welcome too, particularly if you are a parent and daily caregiving tasks are a priority.

Slick surfaces are harder to grip than textured ones — and it shows up fast in a fitting.

One detail that often surprises patients and clinicians alike is how much the texture of an object affects performance. Slick surfaces are harder to grip than textured ones, regardless of the device.

During a recent Hero PRO demonstration, Emily noticed this clearly when comparing grip performance on smooth versus textured surfaces.

The Hero PRO‘s fingertip and thumb material is designed with grip in mind, particularly for precision pinch tasks. The key grip, which positions the thumb against the side of the index finger, was added specifically because of how frequently patients need lateral hold for real-world tasks. Bringing objects that challenge this kind of grip gives your prosthetist useful information early in the process.

The tasks that matter most are different for everyone.

Prosthetists see common requests. Many patients want to use utensils again, type more easily, or carry objects without switching grip modes. These are legitimate and important goals.

Some goals are completely individual. Robert wanted to fish. Someone else came in with jewelry-making tools. A patient brought his golf club because he could not describe what he needed in words — he needed to show it.

For people who have lived with a limb difference for a long time, or who have not worn a prosthesis in years, the goals can be less defined. In those cases, the fitting appointment becomes part of the process of figuring out what you want. Bringing objects you interact with daily helps surface that.

The more your prosthetist knows about your life, the more they can tailor what gets prioritized.

Our clinical team runs delivery appointments that include hands-on grip training, mode switching practice, and sensitivity calibration through the Sidekick App. The session is a practical one, and the more your prosthetist knows about your life, the more they can tailor what gets prioritized.

If you are coming with a child, consider bringing objects your child cares about — school supplies, toys, or anything they have mentioned wanting to hold or use. Pediatric fittings are more effective when the tasks feel meaningful to the child, and children are often better at demonstrating their goals than describing them.

Your prosthetist is trying to understand your life and fit a device to it.

Bringing a handful of objects to your fitting appointment takes almost no preparation. The impact on the session can be significant.

The more you can show them, the better equipped they are to do that.

If you are preparing for a Hero Arm or Hero PRO fitting and want to know more about what to expect, speak with an Open Bionics clinician. Consultations are free, and they are a good starting point for anyone beginning to explore their options.