In most cases, yes.
Your evaluation is always free of charge, and we will never file insurance for your consultation. After meeting with Rob and assessing what prosthesis you’d like to pursue, we’ll take care of getting your insurance authorized. We will let you know if there will be any balance due by you after your insurance pays.
We accept Medicare, Medicaid, Worker’s Comp, and most private insurances. Please inquire!
Please contact us! Even small problems with your prosthesis are important and worth fixing.
There is no benefit to waiting until something falls apart or causes you serious skin breakdown. Wearing a prosthesis for too long when it needs repairs or replacement can do harm to both your residual limb, and other parts of your body. Early prevention is key.
Follow up is as important as the initial fitting. You may need to make several visits for adjustments with the prosthetist. They can help you ease pressure areas, adjust alignment, work out any problems, and regain the skills you need to adapt to life after limb loss. Tell your prosthetist is your limb is uncomfortable or too loose/tight.
Prosthetic limbs do unfortunately wear down over time and through steady usage, and repairs can be common based on your activity level.
Florida O&P is happy to handle smaller adjustments on-site. If more significant fixes are needed, we will send your device to its manufacturer for repair and provide a loaner device for your use.
Florida O&P provides a one-year warranty period for custom, nonproprietary orthoses and prostheses against defects in our workmanship and materials. We provide all in-warranty adjustments and repairs at no charge. Failures due to abuse, undue rough wear and physical changes in the patient’s body are not covered.
Devices from third party manufacturers come with their own separate warranties, which we will cover during consultation.
It is in your best interest to communicate with us as soon as difficulties or issues arise.
Plan on making follow up visits to your prosthetist a normal part of your life. Proper fit of the socket and good alignment will insure that the prosthesis is useful to you. Prostheses, like cars, need regular maintenance and repair to continue efficient functioning. Small adjustments can make a big difference!
Some people elect not to use a prosthesis, relying exclusively on mobility devices.
With a prosthesis, the use of crutches or a wheelchair depends on your level of amputation, whether you have a single or bilateral amputation, and your respective level of balance and strength. Some amputees use a pair of crutches after removing their limb. They may prove useful during nighttime trips to the bathroom, showering, participating in certain sports, and to help if problems arise that may require leaving the prosthesis off for any length of time.
If you’ve lost both legs, you may use a wheelchair at least some of the time.
Unilateral amputees often find it helpful to use a cane or crutches for balance and support in the early stages of walking, or just to take a break from the prosthesis.
This is an individual decision based on your age, balance, strength, and sense of security.
Learning to use a prosthesis is difficult, and adjusting to the new lifestyle will take time. Our top priorities are:
- Working through your feelings about losing a limb and deciding how to rebuild your life after amputation
- Exercising to build the muscles needed for balance and ambulation
- Preparing and taking care of your residual limb to attain a proper sound shape for the prosthesis
- Learning proper body positioning and strengthening to maintain tone and prevent contractures.
Learning to use a prosthesis is a tough job. It takes time, great effort, strength, patience, and perseverance. Much like learning how to operate a car, you will need guidance on how to:
- Take care of the prosthesis
- Put on (don) and take off (doff) the prosthesis
- Walk on different types of surfaces, including stairs and uneven terrain
- Handle emergencies safely, including falling down and getting up again
- Perform daily activities at home, at work, and in a car
- Investigate new things you may be uncertain of, including sports and recreational activities
As we fit your prosthesis, we’ll cover many of these in-depth.
Depending on your age, activity level, and growth, a prosthesis can last anywhere from several months to several years.
In the early stages after limb loss, your residual limb can shrink and change as it adapts to a prosthesis. This may require socket changes, the addition of liners, or even a different device. Later on, increased activity level and desire for additional function can necessitate a change in the prosthesis or it parts.
Once you’re comfortably adjusted and functioning at your desired level of activity, the prosthesis needs only minor repairs or maintenance and can last for an average of three years.
Generally, you should be ready for prosthetic measurements and fitting a few weeks after surgery, when the wound has healed and the tissue swelling is decreased. (Exercise and rehabilitation can speed up preparedness.)
Your medical team also will be concerned with maintaining proper shape of the residual limb, as well as increasing overall strength and function. Fitting is usually stress-free and involves several steps to create a unique prosthesis for you.
Once you’ve been fitted and have selected the components of your prosthesis, we’ll get to building right away. Depending on your needs, your prosthesis can be ready within a week or two.
The majority of people who lose a limb can get back to a normal mode of functioning within a few to several months, depending on the location of the amputation and their physical ability.
How well they function depends primarily on their goals along with timely, comfortable prosthetic fitting, good follow up care and a “can do” attitude.
Your prosthetist will make that decision with you after evaluating your ability to walk with your prosthesis.
Every prosthesis is different, as we build them to fit your amputation, physical ability, and functional needs. Most standard prostheses consist of conventional component parts attached to a socket that fits over your residual limb.
If you desire a more “cosmetic look”, we can craft a realistic-looking skin and shaped covers for your prosthesis.
A prosthesis is an artificial replacement for a missing limb or part of a limb. Although never as natural as your own limb, they can help you do many things quite effectively if you are willing to combine your energy and willpower into learning how to use it.
The most important aspect of success is working with your doctor, prosthetist, and therapist on designing, fitting, and training with your new limb.
Anything is possible!
The below links are all fantastic orthotic and prosthetic resources: