 |
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
 |
Identifying the right prosthetist can be a daunting task, yet it is imperative that you select a qualified prosthetist that will recognize your individual needs and work with you to ensure that you obtain the comfort and functionality that you desire. Following are a few questions to ask your prosthetist that will help you determine if the prosthetist is right for you. 1. Is your prosthetist certified by the American Board for Certification (ABC)? Certification ensures that your prosthetist has received the minimum acceptable amount of training and education but does not guarantee in itself that he or she possesses the experience required to fit challenging upper-extremity amputees. Many upper-extremity prosthetic component manufacturers require ABC certification in order to attend the advanced training courses required to purchase components. 2. How many options are available for upper-extremity amputees? There are six basic prosthetic options available to upper-extremity amputees. A qualified prosthetist will discuss with you the advantages and disadvantages of each option before recommending a course of prosthetic care.
3. How many upper-extremity prostheses has your prosthetist fit in the last three years? This important question will provide insight as to your prosthetist’s experience. Although many prosthetists can learn to be good upper-extremity practitioners, the learning curve is extensive. Your focus should be on returning to your lifestyle prior to your injury or improving your functionality, not serving as a teaching subject. However, if you wish to be a teaching model, have someone available with enough experience to make sure you get the best fit and function possible. 4. What training has your prosthetist had in upper-extremity prosthetics and when? This is an important question to ask regardless of what prosthetic option you eventually select. Many of the more sophisticated electrically-powered component manufacturers require certification courses in order for the practitioner to purchase components. These courses vary widely in how comprehensively they train a practitioner. While all courses provide instruction on adjustment of components, some courses provide additional training in socket design, alignment and fabrication.
5. How many and what types of electrically-powered prostheses has your prosthetist fit in the last three years? 6. Is your prosthetist Utah Arm 3/ProControl 2 certified? When? How many has he/she fit in the last three years? As discussed, most manufacturers require component certification to purchase their products. Motion Control, the company that manufactures the Utah Arm 3 and ProControl 2, requires a five-day comprehensive course that includes myoelectric testing, component adjustment, troubleshooting, casting, interface design, fabrication, harnessing and fine-tuning. Often a lack of experience can have a negative effect on prosthetic success. Therefore, you should try to find a practitioner who has fit 2 – 4 Utah 3 Arms a year and the same number of ProControl 2s if these are components you are considering. 7. Is your prosthetist Boston Digital Elbow certified? When? How many has he or she fit in the last three years? Liberating Technologies, a subsidiary of Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, provides training for the Boston Digital Elbow and also for pediatric components that they either manufacture internally or distribute for other companies. You should try to find a practitioner who has fit 2 – 4 Boston Digital Elbow Arms if these are components you are considering. 8. Is your prosthetist Otto Bock MyoBock certified? When? How many has he/she fit in the last three years? Otto Bock provides the largest selection of electrically-powered hands and accessories such as electrically-powered hooks (called Greifers) and electrically-powered wrist rotators that allow the patient to electrically supinate and pronate the prosthetic hand and the Dynamic Arm, an electrically-powered elbow system. While Otto Bock provides its own controllers, Otto Bock components can be used with other manufacturers' controllers. (A controller is the electronic brain that receives input from the patient, processes it, and activates the motors in the hand, wrist or elbow providing prosthetic function and movement.) Otto Bock provides several courses relating to its component line. Try to find a practitioner who has fit 4 – 10 Otto Bock myoelectric systems a year if these are components you are considering. Otto Bock also offers specialized software that requires advanced training to customize the electronic parameters of their more sophisticated components including the Sensorhand Speed, 4 Channel Processor and Electric Wrist, Greifer, Transcarpal Hand and the Dynamic Arm. 9. Does your prosthetist work with an occupational/physical therapist? Receiving prosthetic training from a therapist with extensive upper-extremity experience can optimize your prosthetic rehabilitation. Prosthetic training emphasizes controls training, donning and doffing, task specific activities, wound healing, range of motion, return-to-work specifics and care and maintenance of the prosthesis. Often a therapist will work closely with the patient and the prosthetist before, during and after the patient receives his/her prosthesis in an effort to fine-tune the device to the specific needs of the wearer’s lifestyle and goals 10. Can you speak with upper-extremity amputee patients your prosthetist has fit? This will help you to determine if your potential prosthetist has the personality, experience and patient management skills that meet your needs. Talking with someone who may have had similar feelings can also ease anxiety and allow you to share your impressions and expectations. |
|
