diff --git a/code/datums/components/prosthetic_item.dm b/code/datums/components/prosthetic_item.dm
index b8876f5484f..1537535974f 100644
--- a/code/datums/components/prosthetic_item.dm
+++ b/code/datums/components/prosthetic_item.dm
@@ -137,6 +137,9 @@
  * Returns the created pseudopart
  */
 /mob/living/carbon/proc/make_item_prosthetic(obj/item/some_thing, target_zone = BODY_ZONE_R_ARM, fall_prob = 0)
+	if(HAS_TRAIT_FROM(some_thing, TRAIT_NODROP, HAND_REPLACEMENT_TRAIT))
+		CRASH("make_item_prosthetic given an item that is already a prosthetic limb!")
+
 	var/obj/item/bodypart/existing = get_bodypart(target_zone)
 	existing?.drop_limb(special = TRUE)
 
diff --git a/code/modules/jobs/job_types/chaplain/chaplain_nullrod.dm b/code/modules/jobs/job_types/chaplain/chaplain_nullrod.dm
index de65b4e7021..96587e0159e 100644
--- a/code/modules/jobs/job_types/chaplain/chaplain_nullrod.dm
+++ b/code/modules/jobs/job_types/chaplain/chaplain_nullrod.dm
@@ -459,13 +459,14 @@
 /obj/item/nullrod/chainsaw/on_selected(obj/item/nullrod/old_weapon, mob/living/picker)
 	if(!iscarbon(picker))
 		return
+	to_chat(picker, span_warning("[src] takes the place of your arm!"))
 	var/obj/item/bodypart/active = picker.get_active_hand()
 	var/mob/living/carbon/new_hero = picker
 	new_hero.make_item_prosthetic(src, active.body_zone)
 
 /obj/item/nullrod/chainsaw/equipped(mob/living/carbon/user, slot, initial)
 	. = ..()
-	if(!iscarbon(user))
+	if(!iscarbon(user) || HAS_TRAIT_FROM(src, TRAIT_NODROP, HAND_REPLACEMENT_TRAIT))
 		return
 	if(!(slot & ITEM_SLOT_HANDS))
 		return
diff --git a/code/modules/unit_tests/surgeries.dm b/code/modules/unit_tests/surgeries.dm
index 8d2901bf77f..726e9808679 100644
--- a/code/modules/unit_tests/surgeries.dm
+++ b/code/modules/unit_tests/surgeries.dm
@@ -131,3 +131,25 @@
 	basic_brute_heal.success(user, clothed_patient, BODY_ZONE_CHEST)
 
 	TEST_ASSERT(naked_patient.getBruteLoss() < clothed_patient.getBruteLoss(), "Naked patient did not heal more from wounds tending than a clothed patient")
+
+/// Tests items-as-prosthetic-limbs can apply
+/datum/unit_test/prosthetic_item
+
+/datum/unit_test/prosthetic_item/Run()
+	var/mob/living/carbon/human/patient = allocate(/mob/living/carbon/human/consistent)
+	var/obj/item/claymore/sword = allocate(/obj/item/claymore)
+
+	patient.make_item_prosthetic(sword)
+
+	TEST_ASSERT(HAS_TRAIT_FROM(sword, TRAIT_NODROP, HAND_REPLACEMENT_TRAIT), "Prosthetic item attachment failed! Item does not have the nodrop trait")
+
+/// Specifically checks the chainsaw nullrod
+/datum/unit_test/prosthetic_item/nullrod
+
+/datum/unit_test/prosthetic_item/nullrod/Run()
+	var/mob/living/carbon/human/picker = allocate(/mob/living/carbon/human/consistent)
+	var/obj/item/nullrod/chainsaw/nullrod = allocate(/obj/item/nullrod/chainsaw)
+
+	nullrod.on_selected(null, picker)
+
+	TEST_ASSERT(HAS_TRAIT_FROM(nullrod, TRAIT_NODROP, HAND_REPLACEMENT_TRAIT), "Chainsaw nullrod item attachment failed! Item does not have the nodrop trait")