Losing your limb or not having one in the first place, can be very painful. It can limit the performance of your daily activities. It is at this point that prosthetics becomes important. Therefore, you need to look for the right company that can efficiently handle your prosthetic needs. You will find a lot of them if you look around. But how can you choose the right one? Keep reading to find out.
What Is Prosthetics?
Prosthetics refers to the medical and technical process of making and fitting artificial limbs (prostheses) on people whose limbs were either amputated or absent from birth. It helps to enhance the functionality and appearance of those individuals. Some persons were born with some missing body parts. However, some others lost theirs in an accident or due to sickness.
People who have lost their limbs find it difficult to carry out some tasks. This is due to the fact that our body parts were built to work together. Hence, the loss of one or more limbs will lead to poor coordination.
What Are Prostheses?
Prostheses are artificial limbs that can help to improve the lifestyle of people with missing limbs. The prostheses combine appropriate materials, design, construction, and alignment that will match the prosthetic needs of individuals.
Prostheses for lower limb are used in cases that require stability in walking and standing, energy storing and return (ESAR), cosmetic appearance, shock absorption, and athletic activities such as cycling, jumping, and running. Prostheses for upper limb can improve cases related to reaching for and grasping objects, occupational challenges such as weightlifting, hammering and painting and daily living activities such as eating, cooking, dressing and writing.
You can visit http://www.mobilityprosthetics.com/ to get more information on prostheses.
How to Choose a Prosthetic Company
The basic reason why you need to choose a good company to handle your prosthetic needs is to get the best fitting artificial limb. Here are top tips on how to choose your desired prosthetic company:
1. Search Online
When searching for a piece of information, the natural thing we do is to search online. This would also be very helpful when you are looking for companies near you that offer prosthetic services. While searching, ensure you make a list of all the companies that stand out. You can know if they offer great services by reading reviews or testimonies of previous clients.
2. Seek Recommendations
You can request recommendations from family members, friends or neighbors who use prostheses or know people who do. This gives you an opportunity to interact with them one-on-one and get feedback on what the company can offer. Additionally, you can ask your health care provider or request referrals from members of amputee support groups.
3. The Company’s Location
This is very important when deciding which company to contact. Fitting of your prostheses will demand several visits to the facility. So, the facility needs to be close to your location for ease of access. You need to save yourself the stress of traveling to far locations because of the condition of your body.
Also, proximity to the facility will enable you to walk in and make inquiries. You will also be able to rate them from your first visit. And ensure that it is located in a safe and secure environment.
4. The Range of Products
You need to find out if the company offers the kind of products that you need. Most companies display a range of products they develop on their websites. Different people require different products. So, whether you are in need of bionic legs, pediatric cranial helmets, or plagiocephaly helmets, confirm that the company can provide them.
5. Quality Of Product
You need to be sure that the company provides quality prosthetic products that will last for a very long time. You do not need a set of prostheses that will wear out easily. Therefore, when searching for a prosthetic company, ensure that their products are durable.
Ask the company to provide testimonies of people with verifiable contacts who have been using the product for a long time. That way, you will rest assured that what you are getting will serve its purpose without posing problems.
6. The Available Medical Equipment
Another thing to look out for when choosing a suitable prosthetic facility is to check the type of medical equipment they have. But first, you need to acquaint yourself with the type of medical equipment that is necessary for your peculiar case. A good company will certainly have special equipment that will meet the individual needs of their clients.
7. The Fabricating Technique
Most companies now use improved techniques such as 3D printing, to produce prostheses. This method ensures precision during production. 3D printing is environmentally friendly as it helps to reduce plastic waste. It is also fast as prostheses can be designed and manufactured on the spot. Hence, if you need a fast and accurate service, ensure that the company has what it takes to provide it.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Prosthetist
The following are sample question you can ask a prosthetist before deciding if they are the right option for you:
1. Why did you choose to be a prosthetist?
2. What do you love most about your job?
3. What kind of amputation level do you have more experience working on?
4. Do you accept insurance? What type of device does my insurance cover?
5. Do you offer follow-up care after I have had my protheses fixed?
6. If there is an issue with my prostheses, how soon can it be fixed?
7. Can you link me up with a previous patient with a similar case? Can you recommend any local support group for amputees?
Finally
Losing a part of your body can be a difficult time in your life but you do not need to spend that time alone. There are various support groups that can help you pull through and live a fulfilled life. In this article, we have discussed useful tips for choosing a prosthetic company and the important questions to ask a prosthetist. So, go ahead and make a choice that you won’t regret for a long time to come.
Leave a Reply