Enjoying Meals with the Vulcan Prosthetic Arm
Mealtimes are not just about nourishing our bodies. They’re also a time for social connection, comfort, and enjoying delicious food. For those who have lost an arm or hand, these moments can be stressful. The basic actions of picking up utensils, cutting food, and bringing a fork or spoon to your mouth can be challenging.
Understanding the Challenges of Eating with an Upper Limb Loss
Without the full function and flexibility of two hands, basic activities like using utensils or holding a cup can become time-consuming.
One major difficulty for upper limb amputees is using eating utensils like forks, knives, and spoons. The limited range of motion can make it hard to grasp and manipulate these tools with precision. Some amputees may struggle to hold a fork steady and guide it to their mouth, making it difficult to eat their meal.
Drinking from a cup or glass can also be challenging. Coordinating the movements required to lift, tilt, and control the vessel can be hard, often resulting in spills. An amputee may struggle to lift a cup over the table, causing spills onto their clothing or the table. The same problem applies to keeping a bowl or plate stable while scooping food. Without a stable hold, these containers can tip over, wasting food.
Meal preparation and plating can also be difficult for upper limb amputees. Tasks like cutting, slicing, or portioning food can become challenging. Cutting food or dividing bread into smaller portions can be hard, leading to a restricted diet or reliance on pre-prepared meals.
This loss of control over a daily activity can impact an individual’s well-being and quality of life. The inability to fully participate in mealtimes can lead to social isolation, a loss of enjoyment in eating, and even difficulties maintaining proper nutrition.
Vulcan Prosthetics: Transforming the Eating Experience
On the fitting day at Vulcan, we guide our users on how to use the Vulcan Hand. They learn to hold and place essential objects like utensils, bowls, plates, and knives. This helps them get used to eating with both hands again. They can quickly apply these skills in their daily life.
The Vulcan Hand features six different grips, each designed to support specific eating activities. The strong Power Grip helps hold a bottle firmly when pouring water into a cup. The delicate Precision Grip supports holding a piece of bread, fruit, or a boiled egg without crushing it. The Open Palm grip allows placing containers like a bowl or a peanut butter jar on the palm. These are just a few examples of the practical activities you can perform with the Vulcan’s six grips.
The Vulcan Myohand is easy to clean, making it simple to maintain hygiene during and after meals. However, it’s not waterproof, so avoid using it for washing dishes or other water-based activities.
With the Vulcan Prosthetic Arm, you can fully enjoy dining, whether it’s a family gathering, a special occasion, or a simple meal at home. By mastering the control motion and the six grips, you can savor every bite and engage in the social and emotional aspects of mealtimes with ease and confidence.
Tips for Using Vulcan Prosthetics During Meals
To maximize the benefits of the Vulcan Prosthetic Arm during mealtimes, consider these tips:
- Practice using the Vulcan hand to hold and manipulate your utensils. Experiment with different gripping patterns and techniques. Find the best position, grip choice, and grip strength to ensure you can cut, scoop, and hold objects with ease.
If you would like to see how our users use their Vulcan prosthetic hand in eating activities, watch us on our YouTube channel. We have uploaded a lot of practical training content, so check it out. If you prefer watching the Vulcan hand’s advantages on a smartphone, click on the link below and register for a free experience day with us. We are more than happy to assist you.
