The fingers and thumbs you'd never know are prosthetics: German designers create remarkably life-like body parts from silicone

  • Silicone prostheses are work of Alex Stamos and Christoph Braun
  • They created Stamos Braun Prosthesenwerk six months ago in Dresden
  • The pair work with each individual patient to create incredibly life-like prosthetics tailored to their needs
  • Nails are crafted from acrylic, the same material used in beauty salons to create nail extensions, allowing women to paint them
  • Mr Braun said: 'For every person his or her needs are unique, and so are the restorations. We like to show that a prosthesis doesn't need to look ugly'

By Lizzie Parry

Published: 11:52 EST, 16 July 2014 | Updated: 13:42 EST, 16 July 2014

 

At first glance, these pictures appear to show a normal hand.

But a closer inspection reveals a clever prosthetic in the place of the thumb.

The silicone digit is the work of a German company, who specialise in individually-tailored prosthetics to meet the unique needs of people who lose fingers, hands, toes, feet or legs.

The work is the brainchild of designers Alex Stamos and Christoph Braun, of Stamos and Braun Prosthesenwerk.

At first glance, this picture appears to show a normal hand. But a closer inspection reveals there is a prosthetic digit in the place of the thumb, so life-like it is almost impossible to spot

At first glance, this picture appears to show a normal hand. But a closer inspection reveals there is a prosthetic digit in the place of the thumb, so life-like it is almost impossible to spot

The silicone prosthesis is the work of German company Stamos Braun Prothesenwerk, who aim to create individual designs tailored to each patient

The silicone prosthesis is the work of German company Stamos Braun Prothesenwerk, who aim to create individual designs tailored to each patient

Mr Braun said the ethos behind their designs is creating silicone prosthetic works of art.

He said his partner started working with silicone 14 years ago, while he joined five years ago.

Mr Braun, who has 18 years experience creating traditional prosthetics, told MailOnline: 'Individuality comes first. For every person and his or her needs are unique, and so are the restorations.

'Here each restoration is a small work of art.

 

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'Alex does more of the individual silicone work while I build the prosthetic under the glove.

'We started our own business six months ago in Dresden, Germany with our special image and special prosthetics.

'We thought we need to make something special. We like to show people that a prosthetic doesn't need to look old and ugly.

'We like to give a good feeling to the patients. It is bad enough that they have lost something.

'So if we are able to make them happy with something cool, it feels good to everybody.'

The prostheses vary in the time they take to craft, depending on the type of limb required and the level of customisation needed

The prostheses vary in the time they take to craft, depending on the type of limb required and the level of customisation needed

An example of a more creative prosthesis created by Stamos Braun Prosthesenwerk
The company was set up by Alex Stamos and Christoph Braun

The company, which also creates artistic prosthetics, left, was started by Alex Stamos and Christoph Braun, right, six months ago in Dresden, Germany

Christoph Braun, who has 18 years experience creating traditional prosthetics, said: 'Individuality comes first. For every person and his or her needs are unique, and so are the restorations'

Christoph Braun, who has 18 years experience creating traditional prosthetics, said: 'Individuality comes first. For every person and his or her needs are unique, and so are the restorations'

He said each prosthetic is individually designed and tailored to ensure the right skin colour is match and the prosthetic is as comfortable as possible.

As a result the time it takes to create each prosthetic varies, case by case.

'If we only have a little thumb we can make it in one to two days,' he told MailOnline.

'But if we make an individual silicone cover for the whole arm or leg it will take us up to one week.

'And it also depends on the stump situation, sensitivity, the healing process and the wishes of the patient.'

He said it is the finer details that make the difference, with finger and toenails crafted from acrylic, the same material used in beauty salons create fake nail extensions.

Mr Braun admitted while the prosthetics they create are more realistic, they do not function as well as those with built-in bionics.

But he said they allow people to live their day-to-day lives normally, and even allow musicians to continue playing their instruments.

The prosthetics range in cost from £1,460 to £5,000 depending on the type of prosthetic and the time it takes to craft the false limb.

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quality work that!

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fantastic work

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Beautiful. This is such a nice way to develop and use our talents. And it has the added bonus of helping people.

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Totally amazing....

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Superb craftsmanship put to a great use. One can think of many variations. Scars for extra realism. A digital wristwatch really in the wrist. Leds in fingers to see to use one's keys. Laser pointers. Even constantly changing tattoo artwork. Infinite variety and why not.

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WOW!!! These prosthetics are not only amazing, but must be life changing for the recipient. Isn't it great to see talent being used in such a philanthropic way. Well done Alex and Christoph, and thank you

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Nothing philanthropic about it. They're expensive, but extremely well done.

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Wow, that's brilliant. Clever people using their artistic skills to help people. Well done.

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Incredible work! Imagine the difference this could make to those requiring prosthesis.

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Whilst I am pleased to see that more thought is going into prosthetic limbs, this is not new. My brother is a leading make up artist and knocks these out overnight much to the delight of producers who usually pay thousands for such skills. Plus he's cheaper!

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Unbelievable - I saw a programme "Making faces" about the prosthetics unit at the QEH in Birmingham and was amazed at how much work and heart and soul they put into making these items for people so they could feel themselves again. Incredible.

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