Smartwatch Technology Retained Aesthetic Prosthesis (STRAP) Hand: A Functional and Aesthetic Innovation

The hand performs essential functions such as grasping, touching, holding, and manipulating, while also contributing significantly to personal identity and psychological well-being. Partial hand loss compromises both aesthetics and function, often resulting in emotional distress. A well-designed prosthesis can restore the hand's length, preserve stump sensitivity with a thin interface, protect the residual limb, and offer pressure and positional feedback. While implant-based prostheses yield superior results, their high cost limits accessibility. For transmetacarpal and carpometacarpal amputations, cosmetic gloves remain the most common solution, despite lacking anatomical detail, and colour accuracy. Functional prosthetic fitting at this level is particularly challenging due to limited residual length, stump irregularities, grafted skin, contractures, and a lack of effective options. This case report presents the development of the smartwatch technology retained aesthetic prosthesis (STRAP) Hand: A functional and aesthetic innovation, an inventive solution for prosthetic rehabilitation following a proximal (transmetacarpal) hand amputation. The prosthesis was meticulously fabricated using room temperature vulcanising silicone with intrinsic staining to replicate natural skin tones. Engineered as a hollow, glove-like structure, the design significantly reduced weight and cost while achieving lifelike aesthetics through distinct dorsal and ventral colour matching. A three-part mould technique enabled efficient silicone packing and precise pigment application. In addition, novel sectional wax patterning and flasking protocols were employed to enhance fabrication accuracy. A key innovation of this prosthesis was the incorporation of a silicone smartwatch strap, providing superior retention, comfort, and discreet wearability. The STRAP hand demonstrated excellent fit and passive functionality, and the patient expressed high satisfaction in terms of aesthetics, social reintegration, and ease of performing daily tasks.