Buying a prosthetic limb is a big step—not just emotionally, but financially too. Most people focus only on the price they see on day one. But the real cost of owning a prosthetic includes much more. There are fittings, repairs, battery replacements, servicing, accessories, and sometimes even travel costs for follow-ups.
These small, hidden expenses can quietly build up over the years. That’s why it’s not enough to ask, “What’s the price?” You need to ask, “What will this cost me over time?”
This blog is your guide to planning smarter. We’ll show you how to think long-term, avoid surprises, and choose a prosthetic that’s not just affordable today—but reliable and cost-effective for the years ahead.
Let’s start breaking it down.
What Is Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)?
It’s More Than Just the Purchase Price
When you hear someone say a prosthetic costs ₹2.5 lakh, that’s usually just the initial price.
But over time, other expenses start adding up—things like spare parts, service visits, repairs, socket changes, or even travel to the clinic.
TCO helps you see the full picture, not just the starting point. It answers the question: “What will this really cost me over the next few years?”
This is important because a device that seems cheaper today might actually cost more in the long run.
Why TCO Matters in Prosthetics
Prosthetic limbs are not like regular products. They become a part of your body. You use them every day—for eating, working, walking, writing, and living your life.
That means wear and tear is normal.
It also means regular service is expected. If you ignore this, small issues can become big ones—and repairs can become expensive.
When you know your 3-year and 5-year cost, you can make better decisions. You can budget smarter and avoid unwanted surprises later.
Key Cost Areas to Track in Your Plan
Initial Purchase and Fitting
This is your starting point. It includes the prosthetic device, the socket, the initial fitting, and basic training.
This is the biggest single cost and usually the one everyone talks about.
But even here, costs can vary depending on the type of prosthetic—mechanical, myoelectric, or advanced bionic. Some fittings are included, others are charged separately.
Make sure you ask what’s included in the initial quote. If training and sockets are extra, your first-year cost will go up.
Service and Maintenance
Just like a car or phone, your prosthetic needs regular checks. Joints may need tightening, wires may need inspection, and sometimes small parts may wear out.
Service visits could be monthly, quarterly, or yearly depending on your usage and the type of limb.
Some clinics offer annual service packages. Others charge per visit.
If you plan for three or five years, count in at least 2–3 checkups every year—and factor in the cost for each.
Battery Replacements (for Powered Limbs)
If you’re using a myoelectric or bionic hand, batteries are part of the regular expense.
Most batteries last 8–18 months, depending on quality and usage.
Over three years, you may replace them twice. In five years, maybe three or four times.
Some providers give one spare battery at purchase. Others charge for each new one.
It may feel like a small cost now, but it adds up. Include this in your TCO calculator to avoid surprises later.
Socket Adjustments and Changes
Your body changes over time. Muscle tone, weight, and skin condition may shift, especially in the first year after amputation.
That means the socket—the part that connects the prosthetic to your body—might need to be adjusted or replaced.
Some clinics include one or two free adjustments. Others charge per visit.
In three years, you might need at least one socket upgrade. In five years, probably two.
This is not a fault in the device. It’s just a natural part of your body’s healing process.
Accessories and Wearables
Things like liners, gloves, covers, sweat sleeves, or extra straps wear out with regular use.
You may also want new accessories based on your lifestyle. Maybe you start working out and need a sport-specific adapter. Or you want a more breathable liner for summer.
These aren’t usually part of the initial cost—but they affect your comfort every day.
Make space in your plan for 1–2 accessories per year. That way, your prosthetic always feels good and fits your life.
Travel for Follow-Ups
If you live far from the clinic or fitting center, travel can be a real cost.
You may visit 2–3 times a year for checkups, socket work, or training. That’s money for transport, food, maybe even lodging.
This is often overlooked in TCO planning—but it matters.
Some companies, like RoboBionics, partner with local clinics to reduce travel costs. Others offer remote support for minor issues.
Either way, plan for this in your 3- and 5-year calculator if your provider is not close by.
Real-Life Cost Examples: A 3-Year Plan
Sample Profile: Ramesh from Pune
Ramesh is a 28-year-old who uses a myoelectric below-elbow prosthetic. He lives near a partner clinic and uses his prosthetic 6–8 hours a day.
Here’s his 3-year cost breakdown:
- Initial cost: ₹2.4 lakh (includes device, socket, training, 1-year warranty)
- Service: ₹3,000 per year × 3 = ₹9,000
- Battery replacement: 2 batteries × ₹4,000 = ₹8,000
- Socket change in year 2: ₹12,000
- Accessories (liners, gloves): ₹2,000 per year × 3 = ₹6,000
- Travel: Minimal (₹500 yearly)
Total 3-year cost: ₹2.4 lakh + ₹35,500 = ₹2,75,500
That’s a 15% increase over the purchase price. Not huge—but important to know upfront.
It also shows why skipping service or delaying a socket change can lead to more discomfort or higher cost later.
Real-Life Cost Examples: A 5-Year Plan
Sample Profile: Meena from Lucknow
Meena is a 35-year-old office worker who received a bionic hand with touch feedback. She commutes daily and uses her prosthetic at work, at home, and for light cooking. She lives in a city without a nearby service center and needs to travel occasionally for support.
Let’s look at her 5-year total cost:
- Initial cost: ₹2.9 lakh (includes device, socket, training, and 18-month warranty)
- Service: ₹4,000 per year × 5 = ₹20,000
- Battery replacements: 4 batteries × ₹5,000 = ₹20,000
- Socket adjustments: ₹10,000 in year 2, ₹14,000 in year 4 = ₹24,000
- Travel costs for service: ₹1,200 per trip × 2 trips per year × 5 = ₹12,000
- Accessories: ₹2,500 per year × 5 = ₹12,500
Total 5-year cost: ₹2.9 lakh + ₹88,500 = ₹3,78,500
In Meena’s case, the real cost of ownership over five years is nearly 30% more than the purchase price. But this also includes excellent uptime, high satisfaction, and a smooth everyday experience.
What this shows is that when you plan well, even the extra expenses feel manageable. They’re spaced out. You’re not caught off guard. And most importantly, your prosthetic continues to serve you well.
How TCO Helps You Avoid Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Picking the Cheapest Option Without Thinking Ahead
We’ve seen users choose a cheaper model just because the upfront cost was lower. But within a year, the device needed repairs, lacked comfort, or didn’t offer service support.
When you don’t plan for long-term costs, you may end up spending more to fix, replace, or abandon a device.
TCO helps you understand that paying a little more now—especially for quality and service—can save you much more later.
Mistake 2: Ignoring Maintenance Costs
Many first-time users don’t think about service or follow-ups. They think, “I’ll fix it when something breaks.” But prosthetics work best when maintained regularly—not just repaired after damage.
Skipping service to save a few thousand rupees might lead to a complete breakdown later, which costs much more to fix.
When you budget for maintenance from the start, you avoid big expenses and downtime.
Mistake 3: Not Planning for Accessories and Upgrades
Your needs may change over time. Maybe you get more active. Maybe your skin becomes more sensitive. Or maybe you just want a more natural-looking cover for social events.
If you don’t leave space in your budget for small upgrades, you might feel stuck. Or worse, you might start avoiding the device completely.
TCO lets you plan for these changes calmly, instead of reacting in frustration later.
Why 3-Year and 5-Year Planning Makes Life Easier
Helps You Budget Smarter
When you know how much you’ll spend over time, you can break it down into monthly or yearly savings. This makes the financial load easier.
Instead of worrying about big, sudden costs, you’re always prepared.
This is especially helpful for families, parents of young users, or anyone managing expenses alongside other needs like education, rent, or healthcare.
Gives You Freedom to Choose Better Devices
People often say, “I want the best device, but I don’t think I can afford it.”
When you look only at the upfront cost, that may be true. But if you spread it over three or five years—and add EMI or support options—it suddenly becomes possible.
TCO helps you stop asking, “What’s the cheapest?” and start asking, “What gives me the most value over time?”
That’s a powerful shift.
Builds Peace of Mind
One of the biggest fears people have with prosthetics is: “What if something goes wrong and I can’t afford to fix it?”
With a clear TCO plan, that fear disappears. You know what to expect. You know when to schedule service. You know how to plan ahead.
That calm feeling of being prepared? That’s peace of mind. And that’s what every prosthetic user deserves.
How to Create Your Own 3-Year or 5-Year TCO Plan
Step 1: Start With the Full Quote
Begin by asking your prosthetic provider for a complete, itemised quote.
This should include the device cost, socket, fittings, training sessions, and warranty coverage.
If something seems vague—ask. If something is listed as optional, ask how important it is.
Once you know exactly what’s included and what’s not, write down the full amount as your Year 1 cost.
That’s your baseline.
Step 2: Estimate Yearly Expenses
Now add the likely recurring costs.
You can ask your provider, talk to other users, or use the estimates below to get started:
- Service visits: At least 2–3 per year
- Batteries (if needed): 1 every 12–18 months
- Socket change or liner: 1 change every 2–3 years
- Accessories: Basic wearables every year
- Travel: Based on how far you live from the clinic
Write these amounts down separately for Year 2, 3, and so on.
Even if you’re not 100% accurate, this gives you a clear picture of what to expect.
Step 3: Add Everything Together
Add your initial cost with all expected costs over 3 or 5 years.
This is your Total Cost of Ownership.
If you’re comparing two different prosthetic options, create a side-by-side table with both TCOs. Then compare not just the cost—but also the value each one brings.
Ask yourself:
- Which one includes better support?
- Which one lasts longer?
- Which one has easier access to service?
- Which one makes daily life smoother?
That’s how you make a confident choice—not by guessing, but by planning.
Why RoboBionics Supports Long-Term Thinking
Designed for Real Life, Not Just the Showroom
At RoboBionics, we don’t design our products for a one-time sale. We build them to be used every day, in real Indian homes, workplaces, kitchens, and classrooms.
That’s why our Grippy™ bionic hand and other products are built with durable parts, long-lasting sockets, and easy servicing.
Because we want your device to stay useful—not just look good in the beginning.
Transparent Pricing and Service Plans
Our quotes always include more than just the device cost. We tell you upfront what’s included, what’s extra, and what to expect down the road.
We also offer annual service plans, training upgrades, and accessories—all priced clearly and made to last.
This helps you build a reliable TCO plan from the start.
You don’t have to guess. You just ask—and we’ll walk you through everything.
Support That Doesn’t Expire
The biggest cost in prosthetics is not money—it’s silence.
When a device breaks and no one picks up your call. When a clinic says, “We don’t cover that anymore.” That’s what hurts most.
That’s why our users get lifetime access to our support team. Even after your warranty is over, you’ll always have someone to talk to, troubleshoot with, and find a solution.
Because your journey with us doesn’t end with the purchase—it begins there.
Long-Term Planning Builds Independence
More Confidence in Daily Life
When you know what’s coming, you feel stronger.
You’re not afraid of using your limb too much. You don’t worry if something goes wrong. You move freely, knowing you’ve planned ahead.
That confidence leads to more activity, more happiness, and more independence.
Better Financial Health
You don’t fall into crisis-mode every time a battery dies or a part wears out.
You’ve already planned for it. Maybe even saved for it. There’s no panic.
That means no borrowing in a rush, no skipped appointments, and no regretful compromises.
Just steady, healthy progress.
Stronger Decisions for the Future
A TCO plan also helps you think about upgrades. Maybe in 5 years, you want to move to a newer model. Maybe you want to explore different features.
When you’ve tracked your costs, it becomes easier to decide what’s worth upgrading—and when.
It gives you control over your future.
Final Thoughts: A Smarter Way to Own Your Prosthetic
Don’t Just Buy—Plan to Own
A prosthetic limb is not something you buy once and forget. It becomes part of your daily life, your identity, your independence.
That’s why you shouldn’t just focus on the price tag. You should focus on the total experience—what it gives you, how long it lasts, and what it costs to keep it working well.
With a 3-year or 5-year plan, you stop reacting to problems. You start preventing them. You make your journey smoother, less stressful, and more empowering.
Planning ahead is not just smart—it’s freeing.
Make Cost Clarity a Part of Every Conversation
Whether you’re talking to a clinic, a technician, or a prosthetic brand, ask clear questions.
“What will this cost me this year—and next year?”
“How many times will I need service?”
“What’s the battery life?”
“Will I need to travel for fitting or repair?”
“What are the common accessories and how often do they need to be replaced?”
These aren’t pushy questions. They’re smart questions. They help you protect your investment and get the value you deserve.
The Best Investment Is in Reliability and Support
At RoboBionics, we’ve helped hundreds of users build simple, honest, and realistic long-term plans.
Some users choose our advanced Grippy™ Bionic Hand with Sense of Touch™ technology. Others go with simpler mechanical options. What they all have in common is one thing—they know exactly what to expect.
And that changes everything.
No surprises. No regrets. Just confidence.
Confidence that comes from planning. Confidence that leads to progress.
Ready to Take the First Step?
You don’t have to guess what a prosthetic will cost over time. We’ll help you build your own 3-year or 5-year ownership plan—free of charge.
You’ll get a clear quote, simple breakdown, and expert guidance on how to prepare for each year ahead.
We’ll even show you how our service plans, remote support, and training tools reduce total costs while increasing your comfort and results.
All you have to do is reach out.
Book a free demo or consultation today: https://www.robobionics.in/bookdemo
Let’s build your future—one smart step at a time.