How to be fitted for a prosthetic limb
According to an article by, Amputee Coalition, approximately 185,000 amputations occur in the United States each year and there are about 2 million people living without a limb.
Many of these amputations are due to diabetes not being properly managed.
Diabetes Co. states that people who have diabetes are more than 15 times more likely to need amputation than people who do not have the condition. The risk of amputation also increases a great amount with age. It is encouraged for people with diabetes to regularly see a physician and have routine foot check-ups to prevent permanent damage.
Diabetes is just one of the few reasons people may undergo amputation. There are different classifications of amputations as well, including minor and major. Minor may include finger and toes, while major includes above and below the knee.
OMNI Prosthetics and Orthotics Inc., located in Urbana, IL, works with patients in central Illinois to provide assistance in the process of receiving a prosthetic limb. Prior to being fit for prosthesis, patients must meet with physicians to get a prescription in order to determine the necessity of a limb.
According to Travis Deem, Certified Prosthetic and Orthotic Assistant, patients will then see a therapist and will be given a number zero to four. Four being that you’re an Olympic runner and need to go through with prosthesis and zero being that you cannot benefit at all from prosthesis. This step is weighed the heaviest in Medicare’s eyes in deciding the necessity of the prosthetic limb for the patient.
Once all the documents and appointments are completed, post-surgery, patients are ready to go through the process of prosthesis. The patient is first given a limb shrinker to help reduce the amount of swelling in order to be properly fit the prosthetic limb itself. The next step in the shrinking process is to be fit with a liner that will be cast over to make the socket. The check socket is then made for the patient by heating up the clear material and shaping it to the limb to be fit for the definitive socket.
The shaping process is now complete and the patient is given a carbon composite socket, which is attached with a foot at the bottom, this is the most common type of prosthetic. A patient has another option of receiving a skin type material limb, which helps make the leg more waterproof.
Patients should continue care even after they go through prosthesis to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Many people may not be able to return to their daily routines because they did not properly use all of the resources that physicians offer. OMNI works closely with your healthcare team to make sure you are on track with your process. Patients are given phone numbers and are encouraged to call with any concerns or questions they might have.
For more information on the process or to contact the staff, visit the OMNI Prosthetics and Orthotics Inc. website.
