Prosthetic Limb Donations

Updated 09/2024

Introduction

Prosthetic components are generally not reused in the United States because of legal considerations. However, if in good condition they can often be donated to charitable organizations that provide international outreach.

General Guidelines

This document provides general guidance for donating your used prosthetic components, which may differ from the criteria set by the charitable organization receiving your donation. It is best to check the organization’s website before shipping your donated supplies. While most of these organizations make every effort to prevent waste, there are some items that are just not recyclable or reusable. In order to prevent the wasted expense of shipping unusable items and to ensure your donations are suitable for another person to use, please follow these general guidelines:

• DO NOT – donate components that are damaged, rusted, or are missing parts. If a donation contains a broken or missing part (that you cannot replace or remove) please identify this part before donating.
• DO NOT – donate prosthetic sockets, as these cannot be recycled or repurposed. If possible, please remove (or ask a prosthetist to remove) the socket prior to donating.
• DO NOT – donate any used soft goods (i.e. socks, liners, sleeves, or shrinkers). Typically only new soft goods meet sanitation standards.
• DO NOT – donate other durable medical equipment such as walkers, crutches, wheelchairs, or canes. Shoes are also typically not accepted.
• DO NOT – donate medical supplies of any kind (i.e. post-amputation bandages or limb protectors). If these items are requested, please ensure they are unopened and in their original packaging.

Charitable Organizations

The following organizations accept donations of used prosthetic limbs, components, and supplies. Prior to donating, please review the guidelines set by the organization to ensure your donation meets their standards.

Check with Local Prosthetic Facilities

Some prosthetic facilities have established partnerships with the charitable organizations listed above and have been established as drop off locations for collection, disassembly, cleaning and redistribution. You can contact a local facility to inquire about whether they are or know of a prosthetic donation program in the area.  

You can also search the American Board for Certification Facility Directory to find a prosthetic facility near you by visiting https://abcop.org/abc-directory. Please note, that not all facilities within this directory will accept these donations.