Traveling for Prosthetics Can Change Your Life

If you have an upper limb amputation, traveling to see an upper limb specialist gives you better outcomes than visiting a general prosthetic clinic near home. Upper limb loss is far less common than lower limb loss, so most local prosthetists have limited experience with arm and hand prosthetics. Arm Dynamics centers treat only upper limb patients, at five U.S. locations, and offers a free video consultation before you travel.

Why do upper limb prosthetics require a specialist?

Would you see a foot doctor for a broken hand? Probably not — you'd find a hand specialist. Prosthetic care works the same way. About 90% of all amputations are lower limb. Because of this, most prosthetic clinics focus on legs and feet. A typical clinic may see only one or two upper limb patients a year.

Arm Dynamics centers are different. Our centers treat upper limb amputations and limb differences exclusively. We work with hundreds of patients from the U.S. and around the world every year.

What you get by traveling to Arm Dynamics

  • Specialists, not generalists. Every prosthetist and therapist on our team focuses on upper limb care.
  • Five U.S. locations. Portland, Kansas City, Houston, Dallas, and Minneapolis.
  • A free video consultation. Talk with a prosthetist before you book travel, so you know what to expect.
  • High patient volume. Our teams see far more upper limb cases per year than a general clinic, which means more experience with your specific type of loss.

FAQ

Popular Questions and Answers

Do I need a specialist if I have an upper limb amputation?

Yes. Because upper limb amputations are much less common than lower limb, most general prosthetic clinics have limited experience with arm and hand prosthetics. Our upper-limb specialized team of prosthetists and therapists can offer more advanced options.

How many Arm Dynamics locations are there?

Five, located in Portland, Kansas City, Houston, Dallas, and Minneapolis.

Is the first consultation free?

Yes. Arm Dynamics offers a complimentary video consultation with a prosthetist before you travel. Visit our page on Remote Visits  Telehealth Offered by Arm Dynamics. 

Does insurance cover travel for prosthetic care?

Our dedicated team of authorization specialists focus exclusively on gaining approval for upper limb prosthetic care services. As the patient’s advocate, we guide them through the approval process. We don’t give up after an initial denial and have a proven track record with many years of successful negotiations and appeals with insurance providers. Learn more on our Insurance Authorization Assistance page.

What should I expect at my first in-person visit?
During your evaluation, our prosthetist and therapist team will examine your hand or arm, ask you questions about your life and occupational goals and show you various types of prosthetic devices that may help you achieve those goals. Learn more on our Getting Started Page
Are there any programs/resources that provide financial assistance for prosthetic care?

Yes. We’ve provided a list of charitable organizations and groups that help those who are uninsured or unable to absorb the cost of their prosthetic care.Please check under "Third Party Resources" below or you can read more in our article, Organizations That Provide Financial and Emotional Support to People with a Limb Difference.