Peg leg

Leg prosthesis From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A peg leg is a prosthesis, or artificial limb, fitted to the remaining stump of a human leg, especially a wooden one fitted at the knee.[1] Its use dates to antiquity.[2]

Peg leg of Józef Sowiński

History

By the late 19th century, prosthetics vendors offered peg legs as cheaper alternatives to the intricate, lifelike artificial legs available at that time.[3] Even as these vendors touted the advantages of more complicated prostheses over simple peg legs,[3] according to a contemporary surgeon, many patients found peg legs more comfortable for walking.[4] According to medical reports, some amputees adapted so well to using a peg leg that they could walk 10 or even 30 miles in one day.[5]

Nowadays, wooden peg legs have been replaced by more modern materials, although some sports prostheses still maintain the same form.[6]

Notable peg leg wearers

References

Further reading

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