At what point does aesthetics trump function?
Over at Better Health, Val Jones talks about cases where land mines blow off hands, necessitating the so-called Krukenberg operation, which recreates a pincer grasp in the hands.
The result looks like this:

It’s a remarkable procedure. But, as Val notes, not everyone may want this operation, as some may opt for aesthetics over function.
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{ 6 comments }
I have heard about a lady who had her thumb amputated in India. After being released from the hospital she tried to get on a bus. But she fell as she could not grasp the bar on the door and was run over by another bus and died. May be function is important. May be the perspective of these unfortunate individuals is different than ours. This question can only be answered by someone in that position.
Jakoot is right. Only the individual can answer that question, but as true “bionic” limbs and hands are slowly becoming a reality… a stump into which can be plugged a strong and fully controllable very real looking hand, while expensive, now, is a very viable option in the very near future.
I’d rather have two meat cleavers attached to my wrists than walk around with with those grotesque alien lobster claws….
For those who must earn a living or else perish, function is everything.
So if this guy needed breast implants in California would he be able to get medical attention? Because they’ll never fix his hands in that State.
If I lost my hands, it appears that this type of claw would be a viable and very practical alternative. I’d probably actually ask for it rather than one of those metal hook things…..
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