Upper limb prosthetics, DHA Karachi
Below elbow prosthesis: an arm you will actually wear
Many people are given an arm and stop wearing it within months. We start with what you need your hand for, then choose between a light cosmetic arm, a strong body-powered arm or a myoelectric hand, and train you until it is part of your day.
- Free assessment
- Try before you choose
- Answered 24/7
Clinically reviewed by Ummad Shafique Mughal, Consultant Orthotist and ProsthetistUpdated 6 October 2026
Below elbow arms
What a below elbow arm is, and the three kinds
A below elbow prosthesis replaces the forearm and hand when the amputation is between the elbow and the wrist. You keep your own elbow, which makes this the most useful level for an artificial arm.
There are three kinds. A cosmetic arm is light and looks natural. A body-powered arm opens a hook or hand with a cable from a shoulder harness. A myoelectric arm moves the hand with signals from your forearm muscles. Cosmetic arms start from Rs 60,000 and body-powered arms from Rs 140,000.
Which kind
Matching the arm to your day
The best arm is the one you will wear every day. These questions decide which kind that is.
A body-powered arm suits you if
- You do heavy or dirty workHooks are strong, cheap to repair and do not mind dust, oil or water.
- You want feedbackYou can feel how far the hook is open through the harness.
- You need it to lastFew parts to fail and no battery to charge.
- Budget mattersStrong function at a fraction of a myoelectric price.
A cosmetic or myoelectric arm suits you if
- Appearance comes firstA cosmetic arm with a silicone hand looks natural at work, at weddings and in photos.
- You dislike a harnessA myoelectric arm needs no harness and moves where a cable cannot reach.
- Your muscle signals are clearWe test them before suggesting a myoelectric hand.
- You work at a deskLight holding and typing support suit cosmetic and myoelectric arms well.
Inside the arm
The parts of a below elbow arm
A comfortable socket decides whether the arm is worn. The hand or hook decides what it can do.
Cast from your forearm so it grips without pinching, often ending above the elbow for control.
Made by usA silicone liner or a cotton sock cushions the skin and helps in our heat.
Silicone liners cost moreFor body-powered arms, a figure-of-eight harness turns shoulder movement into opening the hook.
Body-powered onlyLets you turn the hand or swap a hook for a hand or a tool.
Quick-change wrists availableA cosmetic hand, a working hand, a split hook or a myoelectric hand.
Hooks are the most robustA skin toned cover for the hand, matched as closely as we can to your other hand.
Optional on working hands
Prices for 2026
Three ways to build a below elbow arm
Indicative ranges. Your firm price comes in writing after the free assessment.
| Build | What you get | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic arm | Our socket with a passive hand and silicone glove. Light, natural, good for holding and balance. | Rs 60,000 to 250,000 |
| Body-powered arm | Our socket, harness and cable with a split hook or a voluntary-opening hand. | Rs 140,000 to 600,000 |
| Myoelectric arm | Electrodes in the socket move a powered hand. See the myoelectric page for details. | Rs 650,000 to 4,500,000+ |
Many people choose a body-powered arm for work and a cosmetic arm for going out; we can plan both on one socket design. See every level in the price guide.
Your visits
How a below elbow fitting usually runs
Arms can often be fitted a little sooner after surgery than legs, once the wound has healed.
- First callLevel, date of surgery, and what you need the hand for.
Day 1
- Assessment and castSkin, elbow movement and strength, then the cast.
Week 1
- Test socketA clear socket with the harness or hand attached, so you can try it.
Week 2
- Final armSocket finished, harness adjusted, hand or hook fitted.
Week 3
- TrainingPutting it on, opening and closing, then real tasks: cups, keys, bags.
Weeks 3 to 4
- Follow-upsCable and harness checks, socket tweaks as the arm settles.
Weeks 4 to 8
People who start wearing an arm soon after healing are more likely to keep using it. Do not wait for a perfect moment.
In the clinic
Fitting a below elbow arm
Daily life
Living with a below elbow arm in Karachi
Small routines keep the arm comfortable and in use.
Wash the liner or change the sock daily; summer sweat makes sockets slip and skin sore.
Short daily wear from the first week builds the habit before you learn to do everything one-handed.
Check the cable for fraying each week; a new cable is cheap, a snapped one at work is not.
Take the arm off for wudu; silicone gloves can be wiped clean. Many users pray with the arm on.
See your doctor first if
- The wound is open, weeping or smells
- There is spreading redness, heat or swelling in the forearm
- You have a fever or feel unwell
- You have new numbness, burning or severe pain in the stump
- The elbow has become stiff and will not straighten
Once your doctor is happy, we fit around their advice. Stiff elbows often need physiotherapy before the socket.
Questions
Below elbow questions
Ask anything else on WhatsApp or call +92 337 8414002, day or night.
How much does an artificial arm cost in Pakistan?
A cosmetic below elbow arm starts from Rs 60,000. A body-powered arm with a hook or working hand usually costs Rs 140,000 to 600,000, and myoelectric arms start from Rs 650,000. The assessment is free and the firm price comes in writing.
Which is better, a hook or a hand?
A split hook grips small things better, is stronger and lasts longer. A hand looks more natural. Many people use a hook for work and swap to a hand for going out.
Can I write or eat with a below elbow arm?
Most people write and eat with their other hand and use the prosthesis to hold, steady and carry. With practice a body-powered hook can do fine tasks too.
How soon after amputation can I get an arm?
Usually once the wound has healed and the swelling is settling, often a few weeks after surgery. Earlier fitting tends to mean better long-term use.
Is the harness uncomfortable?
It takes some getting used to. A well-adjusted figure-of-eight harness should not dig in; we adjust it at follow-ups and pad it for summer.
Can a child have a below elbow arm?
Yes. Children are often fitted with a light passive hand first, then a working hand as they grow. See our children's limbs page.
Related
Other limbs and help you may need
Talk to the clinic
Talk to us about an arm you will wear
Call or WhatsApp with the level and what you need your hand for. We will explain the options and the likely price.