While there are many reasons  at least seven  that each of our Arm Dynamics centers are different from other prosthetic providers, one of them is listening to our patients. How is it that so many of our patients are happy with their devices and find them to be functional and useful in their lives? It all goes back to listening to each patients’ goals and aspirations. What is it that each of our prosthetists and occupational therapists do every time they are with a patient? They listen.

Listening is paramount right from the start of the process of providing our patients with a prosthesis. Our clinical team, which includes the prosthetist and occupational therapist who work together at each center, wants to know all about the patient. If they have a congenital limb difference, what is making them consider getting a prosthesis at this point in their life? If they have an amputation, what can they tell us about their life before their amputation? For everyone, there is a lot of talk about goals: What do they want to achieve in the short term? What do they want to achieve in the long term? What are their job tasks? What do they like to do for fun? What do their daily home chores look like? Our plan is to design and build a prosthesis that helps our patients do the things they want to do.

But it’s not just about what the prosthesis can help with. It’s also about what kind of prosthesis the patient wants. Some people need a lot of guidance when it comes to selecting the most appropriate device. Other people have definite ideas: “I need a device that can help me lift weights and is strong enough that I don’t have to worry about breaking it.” Or “I need a myoelectric device because a body-powered device will worsen the overuse issues I have been experiencing.” Or “I have an above-elbow amputation, but I don’t think I need an elbow joint yet because I want to learn how to use my device quickly.” These are all wonderful ways that our patients advocate for themselves, and we love to hear them.

Marissa at Sink Washing Prosthesis
Marissa wanted a simple design for her prosthesis so she could learn how to use it quickly.

Our prosthetists take all this information they’ve learned about their patient and begin to create a prosthesis with the help of their prosthetic technician or assistant. Our occupational therapist keeps all these things in mind as they begin to help the patient prepare for their device. As the first fitting begins, it’s time for more listening! Receiving continuous feedback from each patient is crucial to making a comfortable, functional prosthesis. How does it feel? Is it hitting any pressure points? What do you think about it?

While comfort and function are the top priorities, another thing we want to make sure our patients are happy with is how the prosthesis looks. Are they going for something flashy? Subdued? When they see it, will they say, “Oh, that’s so me!”? How can we help facilitate that? Our patients have had a lot of creative ideas over the years, and our teams LOVE a challenge.

Prosthesis Showcase-Listing

Even after the definitive or take-home device is created, our teams are still listening. What does our patient think? What support can we offer them once they are back home? Would they like to be connected with our peer support group? While every time is a good time for our patients to speak up, hearing feedback at this juncture can be critical.

It doesn’t stop there either. We check in with our patients periodically to ask how things are going. We’re also just a phone call away for any questions our patients may have. With scheduled follow-up visits, we’re able to address issues that may have come up in the weeks and months since the patient began using their device. Our patient Lynda, pictured below, found that she was experiencing pain in a part of her hand that hadn’t caused her issues before. At a follow-up visit, she spoke with her prosthetist, Mac, at our center in Portland, OR, regarding her pain, and he found that when she was using her prosthesis to hold something, the device was putting pressure on her hand and creating a sore spot. A few adjustments, and she was good to go again.

lynda_6_720 H

All of these things can lead to patients who feel supported and are happy with their device. But you don’t have to take our word for it:

“From start to finish, the experience at Arm Dynamics was nothing but perfect. The timelines of the staff, their willingness to listen to the needs and concerns we had for our son (and his future) and the genuine empathy from every single person was everything our hearts needed. This was the first attempt at obtaining a prosthetic for our 12-year-old son and when I say the bar was set for all future requests, I mean it. Our OT/PT met Julian at a conference, obtained his contact info and let us make the initial request. Julian remembered our son's situation from that brief conversation and took the time to talk to us without our son to discuss logistics, then again over video conference to meet our son and ask about his goals and ambitions, encouraging him to speak openly and dream big.”

-From Stephanie’s Google Review of our Kansas City, KS, center

"Arm Dynamics is by far one of the best prosthetic clinics I’ve been to. Mac and Cullen are incredibly experienced, quick to come up with effective solutions, and genuinely take the time to listen to their patients. So happy I get to work with them."


-From Grace’s Google Review of our Portland, OR, center 

“My son Dakota knew what he needed to be successful — he didn’t know the exact tools, but he could describe what it was he needed a prosthesis to do for him. What impressed me the most about the Arm Dynamics team was how the prosthetist was looking at Dakota, while he described what he needed. Like he wasn’t just treating him like some kid who is telling him how to do his job. He was never like that.”

-Kara, Dakota’s mom, in an interview for our article High School Football Captain, Weightlifter, Limb Different: Dakota at 17

Would you or someone you know appreciate being listened to when it comes to a device you may be wearing for eight or more hours each day for work, home and leisure? If yes, please contact us. If you would like to leave a comment, please do so below.

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