While there are thousands of prosthetists in the U.S., the learning curve for upper limb prosthetics is extensive. Finding the right practitioner who specializes in upper limb prosthetic rehabilitation can be a challenge.
Be certain that the prosthetist:
- Is certified by the American Board for Certification (ABC)
- Has a minimum of three to five years of current upper limb experience and has fit more than 30 patients in the past two years
- Can specify what type(s) of upper-limb prosthetic devices they have fit in the past two years
- Ideally, this will include a mix of electrically-powered, body-powered, activity-specific, hybrid devices, and passive devices
- Regularly considers and appropriately integrates custom rolled silicone sockets into their upper limb solutions
- Works with an upper limb prosthetic therapy specialist
- Will arrange for you to speak with some of their patients to discuss their prosthetic care experience
- Has received device-specific education from the following prosthetic component manufacturers:
- Otto Bock: bebionic hand, bebionic small hand, Axon-Bus Prosthetic System including the Michelangelo Hand, Axon-Hook, Axon-Wrist, AxonArm-Ergo, SensorHand Speed, MyoRotronic wrist rotator, MyoHand VariPlus Speed, Transcarpal Hand, DynamicArm Elbow, DynamicArm TMR, MyoCom software, MyoSelect prosthetic adjustment tool, Prosthetist's Assistant for Upper Limb Architecture (PAULA) software, MyoPlus pattern recognition system
- Touch Bionics by Ossur: i-limb revolution, i-limb quantum, i-digits quantum for partial hand, Biosim software, app-based Biosim adjustments
- Motion Control: TASKA hand, Utah Arm 3, Utah Arm 3+, ProControl 2, Electric Terminal Device (ETD) and Flag system
- Steeper: Espire elbow system
- DEKA: Luke Arm
- Liberating Technologies: M-Fingers and partial M-Fingers, Boston Digital Arm System
- Hosmer: Electric and body-powered prostheses
- Didrick Medical: X-Finger mechanical finger for partial hand
- Naked Prosthetics: partial finger system
- Point Designs: partial hand and finger system
- COAPT: Pattern Recognition system
- IBT: Sense Pattern Recognition system
