Prosthesis Process

Getting a new or first time ever prosthesis is quite the process! I have laid out the process I personally have experienced.

I think these are some important questions to ask yourself before beginning the process:

• Does my insurance cover prosthetics?
• Do I want my prosthesis to look real?
• Do I want my prosthesis to be as light as possible?
• Do I want it to be waterproof?
• Do I want to be able to be athletic?

Do your research before you begin your process. I know this sounds tedious, but the more you know going into it, the better you’ll feel throughout this process. Talk to other amputees! Where are you going to get more direct answers?

Checkout this site for amputee connections CLICK ME!

They’re not trying to sell you anything, they’re just speaking from personal experience. Look into different providers before going with the first one! I have gone to many different providers because they fit for the time-being, but I decided I needed a change at some point (sometimes it was strictly geography).

Prosthetic Evaluation Process

DO NOT WORRY! You can still achieve and even exceed your physical goals. Getting the proper fitting prosthesis will help!

Your prosthetist will listen to what you wish to accomplish, compile a detailed medical history, evaluate your residual limb*, and take measurements. They will review options and work to design a suitable prosthesis.

Insurance waiting period…

Once you are satisfied with the evaluation and the prosthetist has a prescription to make a prosthesis, you wait…for what feels like forever.

Funny story: I went through Shriner’s Hospital until I was 18, and they didn’t take insurance. Everything was FREE! This was great, however, when I turned 18 I had a difficult time explaining to my insurance that I had been an amputee for the last 14 years.

Insurance can play quite the waiting game, but be patient!

Fitting and Making a Prosthesis

the fitting process begins with casting over the residual limb and fabricating a diagnostic check socket. A lot of the time your check socket is made out of clear plastic, allowing prosthetists and assistants to observe pressure points and problem areas. If necessary, multiple preliminary sockets can be made to achieve the right fit, including a walking check socket that can be used in the office.

The fitting time can feel long and drawn out, but, by investing time in the diagnostic process, fitting issues are minimized during fabrication. As a result, your prosthetic socket can encourage muscle growth in the residual limb, and rebuild residual muscles, which is critical to achieving a healthy gait pattern and participating in activities.

 proper fit for proper function!

Once the socket interface is comfortable, a final definitive socket is created. DO NOT rush the process. If you are frustrated with how long little tweaks are taking and lie about the level of comfort, you will be living with that discomfort until insurance allows you to go through this process again.

Get it right, and you won’t regret it!

Components are carefully selected from leading manufacturers by a patient’s prosthetist based on the information from his evaluation. With a team of prosthetists, assistants, and technicians, adjustments are easily made during delivery appointments and in follow-up visits for optimal performance and ultimate safety.

Bionic and Prosthetic Technology

After assessing, or reassessing, a patient’s health and lifestyle, your prosthetist can choose from a variety of bionic and prosthetic technologies on the market to recommend for the prosthesis. These products offer a range of benefits for the patient and when combined with the socket design, improve quality of life and increase activity options.

Unfortunately, not everyone is a candidate for these advancements and not every insurance plan provides coverage. Talk with your prosthetist to determine what is right for you!

Post fitting aka adjustment period

After the final fitting you get to take your brand new, shiny arm or leg home. Your spirits are high and you are ready to conquer the world. Then you start feeling sore. You skin is irritated. Your muscles feel tight. What is happening?!?

Don’t panic. A new device takes time to get used to. I like to compare it to a brand new pair of heels. I for one do not wear heels, but I know that with many shoes they can take a few wears to break them in. Take a week or so to get used to your device. Don’t immediately toss it in the closet and go back to crutches, but also don’t overdo it. Take breaks, but keep pushing through some of that pain. If after a week you are still in a lot of pain get a hold of your clinician. They probably already scheduled a follow-up appointment a few weeks following your final appointment. This is where you can bring up the specifics of what is bothering you.

For me, getting this leg that is in the pictures I got over zealous and wore it all day the first day. I even attempted running on it. I had a knot in the lateral side of my leg, and my knee was a bit swollen. I decided to take a break from it the next day, and wear it only when I got back from work. The knee pain went away, but the knot was still there. Because that was such a specific pressure point I made note of it. I told my clinician that I think the socket may be a bit snug on that lateral portion. He was able to make some adjustments, and the pain has gone away! It is still a process of getting completely comfortable with my new leg, but I am taking it in strides 😛

Read about what a prosthesis is here!

residual limb: this means whatever is left below your joint! for me, I am a below-knee-amputee. so whatever I have left below my knee is my “residual limb”.