The terminal device can then be opened and closed. These types of prostheses require tighter harnessing and more training for patients. Although prosthetic hands are more appealing, they are not as functional as hooks. Bilateral patients will only use hooks. The patient does have a choice among a variety of hooks or hands that perform certain tasks better.
Some patients utilize wrists that detach one terminal device and allow another to be snapped in.
They wear a hook by day and a hand at night. No matter how functional a patient is, the prosthesis, at best, will be only assertive. That is why passive hands that have only bendable fingers are still very functional. Many upper extremity amputees do not wear prostheses. The shorter the amputation, the less likely a patient will accept a prosthesis because it becomes too heavy and cumbersome.