I’m
facing an amputation. What should I
do first?
Contact our office at 405-841-6800
or 877-226-5424 (toll free) for a
pre-surgical consultation at no charge.
Also read You’re
Not Alone by
John Sabolich, CPO, and Scott Sabolich,
CP, LP. It contains
a wealth of information about prosthetics
and amputation.
How do I choose a
prosthetist and prosthetic facility?
You will be working with your prosthetist
more closely than any other health
care provider therefore you should
ask questions before committing to
a prosthetist.
- How many patients with your level
of amputation has this prosthetist
worked with?
- Ask about their success rate.
- Is the prosthetist you’re
considering licensed and certified?
- Do you like the prosthetist?
How
much will my prosthetic care cost?
The
best way to find out about the
cost of your prosthetic care is
to call our office and talk with
a financial counselor. They will
talk to you about your insurance
coverage and copays. If you don’t
have insurance, they will help
you find a paysource.
Does prosthetic
care at your facility cost more
than others?
No. If we are contracted
with your insurance company, we can
only bill the contracted rate. If
we not contracted, we make every
effort to keep costs at a minimum
and to negotiate rates with your
insurance company.
How long will
it take to get my prosthesis?
The average below-knee definitive
prosthesis requires 10 appointments
for fitting and delivery. An average
above-knee definitive prosthesis
requires 15 appointments. A temporary
prosthesis requires 5 appointments.
We never promise that we will complete
your prosthesis in less time than
this, but we will promise
that you are comfortable and functional
no matter what it takes.
What can
I do about phantom pain?
Please see our page entitled Phantom
Pain - Relief Without Medication.
How can
I find a support group?
Contact our
office at 405-841-6800 or 877-226-5424
(toll free) for information about
local support groups. The Amputee
Coalition of America also has a listing
of support groups nationwide – www.amputee-coalition.org.
How often should I see my prosthetist?
You
should see your prosthetist every
six months or if either of the following
occurs:
- You’ve
experience weight gain or loss, even
if it’s
5 lbs. or 2% of your body weight.
- Your
activity level has changed.
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