The first step in getting a prosthesis is to obtain a prescription from your physician or surgeon for a prosthesis.  The next step is to make an appointment with a Prosthetist for an initial evaluation.  The initial evaluation is a critical time for you and the Prosthetist.  A Prosthetist is a professional who is specially trained to fit, design and fabricate prostheses.  During the evaluation the Prosthetist will obtain information from you regarding your medical history and goals for using a prosthesis.  The Prosthetist will ask several questions in order to design a prosthesis suited specifically to your needs.

Once a design plan has been determined, the Prosthetist will take a casting, or impression, of the individuals remaining body part (usually the residual limb) in which the prosthesis will attach.  This impression will provide the Prosthetist a model to build a temporary socket of the prosthesis.  Other components, such as feet or hands, are purchased to assemble the entire prosthesis.  The temporary socket is made to use in the fitting process.  The socket is the piece of the prosthesis made to attach to the body.  Once the initial prosthesis is assembled the fitting process is ready to begin.  The temporary materials used during the fitting process allow the Prosthetist to make adjustments to the socket shape and alignment of the prosthesis in order to achieve an optimum fit and ensure effective use of the prosthesis.  The fitting process, on average, takes between 3 to 6 weeks.  This time-frame varies depending on the complexity of the prosthesis.  Patients will usually take the temporary prosthesis home during the fitting process for trial use.  During this time, patients will be scheduled regular appointments to monitor the progress of the fitting and make necessary adjustments to improve the fit and function. 

Once a satisfactory socket fit has been achieved, the temporary components are transferred to permanent components.

We warranty our workmanship for 90days from completion date.  During this warranty period, Horizon will make medically indicated adjustments to the prosthesis as necessary at no additional charge. Prescribed additions of components, straps, lifts, etc. may incur a fee.                                                Click here to read Horizon Prosthetics Warranty.

One theory about prostheses is that one device will last an individual their entire life.  Allow this is a nice thought, it is just not realistic.  Our bodies are dynamic and therefore constantly changing.  Given this fact, the prosthesis fit will be affected by these physiological changes.  Weight loss, or weight gain, play a major factor in how the prosthesis fits and functions.  Sometimes adjustments or interface materials can accommodate the change in fit; but if not, a new socket or entire prosthesis would be recommended.  Overtime, socket materials lose their structural integrity over time and need to be replaced.  Other components of the prosthesis, such as the foot or knee, have certain lifetimes set by the manufacturer and breakdown with normal wear and tear.  When these components have reached their lifetime and begin to not function properly they are in need of replacement.

Immediately following amputation…

Patients who have recently undergone an amputation will have a time of initial healing between the surgery and receiving their first prosthesis.  The specific amount of time will vary for each individual.  Although there are many reasons someone will undergo an  amputation, the surgery itself is traumatic to the body.  This trauma produces swelling in the patient’s remaining limb, or residual limb.  This swelling needs to be controlled by compression therapy.  Compression therapy can be in the form of a rigid dressing or post-operative prosthesis (picture of a rigid dressing and IPOP) or by soft compression, such as an ace wrap or shrinker sock.  Patients who receive a rigid dressing or post-operative prosthesis also have the added benefit of protecting the limb from external trauma during the healing process.  The rigid dressing or post-operative prosthesis can be placed on the patient in the operating room while patient is still under anesthesia.  If you are awaiting amputation surgery and would like to have a rigid dressing or post-operative prosthesis placed on your limb immediately following amputation, let your surgeon know your request.  At your request, a Prosthetist from Horizon can accompany you to your pre-operative appointment and discuss the benefits of post-operative prostheses with your surgeon.

For lower extremity prosthetic users…

Insurance companies require lower extremity prosthetic users to be categorized based on their activity level.  The categories are called K-levels and range from K0 – K4.  These categories assist insurance companies in determining whether certain prosthetic components are medically necessary for the individual user.  The user’s activity level plays a big role in the design of the prosthesis.  If the there is a change in the user’s activity level, it may warrant new components or whole new prosthesis. 

Here is the list of the categories and their corresponding descriptions: 

K0 - Does not have the ability or potential to ambulate or transfer safely with or without assistance and a prosthesis does not enhance their quality of life or mobility.

K1 - Has the ability or potential to use a prosthesis for transfers or ambulation on level surfaces at fixed cadence.  Typical of the limited and unlimited household ambulator.

K2 - Has the ability or potential for ambulation with the ability to traverse low level environmental barriers such as curbs, stairs, or uneven surfaces.  Typical of the limited community ambulator.

K3 - Has the ability or potential for ambulation with variable cadence.  Typical of the community ambulator who has the ability to traverse most environmental barriers and may have vocational, therapeutic, or exercise activity that demands prosthetic utilization beyond simple locomotion.

K4 - Has the ability or potential for prosthetic ambulation that exceeds basic ambulation skills, exhibiting high impact, stress, or energy levels. 
Typical of the prosthetic demands of the child, active adult, or athlete.

For all prosthetic users…

When a patient receive their prosthesis, there are textile materials that will accompany the prosthesis.  These items can be gel liners, sleeves, socks, sheaths or the like.  These items are critical to the proper function and fit of the prosthesis.  These textile materials also have a lifespan and it is highly recommended they be replaced on a regular basis.  The gel material breaks down with normal wear and tear reducing their properties to protect the user’s residual limb.  The textiles also stretch out overtime changing the fit of the product.  At Horizon, your Prosthetist will set up a schedule for you and contact you when it is time to replace such items. Insurance companies understand these particular items are in need of regular replacement and provide coverage accordingly.

Many of these textile materials are placed directly against the user’s skin.  Therefore, good hygiene practices are critical to reducing the risk of skin issues and are strongly encouraged by Horizon Prosthetics.  Click here for recommended daily care of your residual limb and prosthesis.

If you would like to have your prosthesis covered to protect the components from environmental factors and/or look like a natural limb this can be achieved in different ways.  Some manufacturers have hard covers designed to protect specific devices. (Put picture of C-Leg with protector)  These covers do not look natural, but do a great job protecting the device from dirt, dust, etc.  Other covers incorporate a soft inner foam with a flexible protective outer skin.  The soft foam is shaped to match an anatomical limb and the flexible protective skin comes in several different skin tones to obtain a close match to the user’s skin tone.  This option is both functional and cosmetic. (Picture of cosmetic foam cover)  The most cosmetically appealing cover is a custom silicone covering.  This type of cover is made of sculpted out of silicone and painted to match the user’s skintone as close as possible.  The artist who fabricates the restoration can add veins, moles, or other skin marks to enhance the life-like appearance.  (Picture of a silicone restored arm)  These covers are beautiful and feel natural; but they come at a cost.  The custom silicone covers are very expensive and often times the cost is not entirely covered by insurance policies.

As stated earlier, the body is dynamic and throughout the life of your prosthesis, you may find it necessary to visit your Prosthetist for adjustments.  Regular visits with your Prosthetist can ensure proper fit and function of your prosthesis.  Even a minor adjustment can make a major difference in how your prosthesis is fitting. 

If you are having fitting issues with your current prosthesis, or just aren’t sure about whether it is functioning properly, it is best to contact our office and make an appointment today.  Waiting to be seen by a Prosthetist can result in damage to your residual limb or prosthesis.

Proficiency and Safety…

Learning to use a new prosthesis is exciting, but also has its challenges.  At Horizon Prosthetics, it is our goal to provide a prosthesis which allows you the opportunity to return to activities you enjoy.  In order to achieve this goal, it is our job to ensure you know how to safely function with your prosthesis.  In our lower extremity gait room (picture of room here) we have floor mounted parallel bars for safe, level walking.  However, we know that our world is not always flat; so we have equipped our gait room with stairs and a ramp to begin initial training of traversing such environmental barriers with a prosthesis. (picture of stair/ramp platform here)  We find it is ideal for our patients to experience using stairs or a ramp before leaving our office with their prosthesis.  This allows us to make any changes necessary to ensure safe ascent or descent of the environmental barrier.

Horizon Prosthetics does not provide physical therapy services, but we strongly encourage our patients to receive physical therapy.  We can recommend local physical therapists that have experience in training individuals to use a prosthesis safely and effectively. 

Silicone Restorations…

Patients who have had amputations or congenital deformities of body parts other than full limbs have options for prostheses too.  These body parts may include fingers or partial hands, ears, noses, toes or partial feet, and even breasts.  Silicone Restorations are a wonderful prosthetic option because they are both aesthetically appealing and functional.  The process of designing and fabricating a silicone restoration in general is similar to an artificial limb fabrication.  First off, the Prosthetist will meet with the patient to perform an evaluation to determine the best possible design for the patient.  Secondly, an impression of the patients remaining body part will be taken, but an impression of the non-affected body part is also taken. (if applicable)  For example, if a patient has lost an ear due to skin cancer, the Prosthetist will take an impression of both the missing ear area and an impression of the fully intact ear.  This will provide both the inside and outside of the silicone prosthesis.  Several photos will be taken of the affected and non-affected areas to ensure a true color match for the silicone.  The impressions and the photos will be sent to talented artists in Texas to fabricate the silicone prosthesis.  The particular laboratory we use to fabricate the silicone restorations use a special blend of silicone polymers to offer flexibility, patient comfort, durability, and stain resistance in all of the silicone prostheses.  Once the prosthesis has been completed, the patient returns to Horizon Prosthetics for a fitting appointment.  During this appointment the patient and Prosthetist will assess the overall fit and appearance of the prosthesis.  Most of the silicone restorations attach to the remaining body part with suction, but sometimes medical adhesive is required to achieve suspension.  (Show pictures of ears, fingers, etc.)  If you or a loved one have undergone a mastectomy and are interested in learning more about custom silicone breast prostheses, click here to enter our Mastectomy Services page.

Partial Hands and Feet are also available in silicone restoration prostheses and can be viable options for different levels of these amputations.  These types of prostheses are suspended by suction and are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.  Silicone is an ideal material to use on someone who has sensitive skin, especially an individual with diabetes.   (Show pictures of fingers and partial feet)

If you want to learn more about silicone restoration options at Horizon Prosthetics, call our office today to schedule a complimentary evaluation.

Financial Matters…

Horizon Prosthetics understands that the financial aspect of a prosthesis can play a large role in determining the design of a prosthesis.  Please click here to enter our Insurance/Financial page to learn about how Horizon handles financial matters.

FAQs...

How long should I expect my prosthesis to last?

The lifespan of a prosthesis varies greatly.  In general, a prosthesis can be expected to last between 1 – 5 years.  This depends greatly on the components used and whether this is the patient’s first prosthesis. 

How long does it take to get a prosthesis?

Designing and fabricating a prosthesis takes skill and time.  On average, the process of getting a well fitting prosthesis is between 3 – 6 weeks.   This time span is from initial evaluation to final delivery of prosthesis.  The amount of time can vary based on the complexity of your prosthesis and fitting.  Horizon Prosthetics believes it is important to take the necessary time to ensure an appropriate fit of a prosthesis and we know it does not help either party to rush the process.

How much does a prosthesis cost?

Unfortunately, there is no straight answer to this question.  Every prosthesis is unique in its design which makes the cost of prostheses vary greatly.  If you have medical insurance, this also plays a part in determining the overall cost of the prosthesis and your financial responsibility depends solely on your insurance plan.  Horizon Prosthetics would be happy to have a Prosthetist evaluate your situation and provide a quote for a prosthesis. 
Click here to see our list of accepted insurance companies.  Horizon Prosthetics is pleased to be contracted with several major insurance companies, including Medicare, Tricare, and many private insurance companies.