Armless

Armless describes the state of lacking arms. This can refer to the complete absence of arms from birth (congenital absence) or the loss of arms through amputation or injury. The term applies to humans and animals.

Causes and Context:

• Congenital Absence: This refers to the absence of arms from birth due to genetic factors, exposure to teratogens (substances that can cause birth defects), or unknown causes during prenatal development. The severity can range from complete absence of limbs (amelia) to partial development.

• Amputation: This refers to the surgical removal of an arm or part of an arm, typically due to injury, disease (such as cancer or severe infection), or vascular problems.

• Injury: Traumatic injuries, such as those caused by accidents or explosions, can result in the loss of an arm.

Impact and Adaptation:

Being armless presents significant challenges in performing everyday tasks that most people take for granted, such as dressing, eating, hygiene, and manipulating objects. However, individuals who are armless often develop remarkable adaptations and strategies to compensate for the absence of arms. These adaptations can include:

• Use of feet and toes: Individuals may learn to use their feet and toes for tasks typically performed with hands.
• Use of assistive devices: There are a variety of assistive devices available to help armless individuals perform tasks such as eating, writing, and operating computers.
• Adaptive clothing and tools: Specially designed clothing and tools can make it easier for armless individuals to manage daily activities.
• Prosthetic arms: Although not always a perfect substitute for biological arms, prosthetic arms can provide some degree of function and independence.

Terminology:

While "armless" is a descriptive term, it's important to be mindful of person-first language. For example, saying "a person without arms" is generally preferred to "an armless person," as it emphasizes the person rather than the absence of a limb. Other terms sometimes used include "upper limb deficiency" (in the context of congenital absence) or "upper extremity amputation."