Are you ready to walk?
The benefits of prosthetic devices!
By Michael Relle, CPO/FAAOP, Orthotic & Prosthetic Specialists, Inc., Northshore LIVING WELL Magazine
Prosthetics is the branch of medicine that deals with evaluating, designing, fabricating, fitting and delivering a prosthesis or artificial body part. A prosthetist receives a formal education to become certified through the American Board for Certification (ABC). This training and certification enables the prosthetist to design an artificial limb to meet the needs of each person requiring a prosthetic device.
A prosthetic limb can greatly enhance an individual’s quality of life after an amputation, regardless of the level of amputation. With an upper extremity amputation, above or below the elbow, a person can benefit from a prosthesis by allowing a more efficient means of performing daily tasks. If one or more fingers have been amputated, partial hand prostheses will return significant function because the replacement of fingers will again allow oppositional movement for grasping.
With a lower limb amputation, above or below the knee, movement is limited and use of a wheelchair or crutches is necessary. A properly fitted prosthesis can allow complete freedom of movement and avoid dependency on these devices, or limit the dependency to a cane or walker. With a partial foot or toe amputation further pain and complications can occur from the dramatic change in the way the individual has to walk, including hip and knee pain. A partial foot prosthetic can allow a normal gait pattern to avoid these potential complications.
Prosthetics are also available for women who are breast cancer survivors and have undergone a mastectomy with or without reconstruction surgery. A certified mastectomy fitter is able to fit silicone full forms, partial forms, pocketed mastectomy bras, and any other fitting accessories necessary to give each individual a natural and equal projection. Post mastectomy products are not only beneficial to the patient’s self-confidence, but also to their posture integrity. A wide variety of post-mastectomy products are available to fit each individual’s style and preferences.
Michael Relle, CPO/FAAOP is Certified Orthotist Prosthetist with Orthotic & Prosthetic Specialists, Inc. and may be reached at 985-898-6319 or at www.orthoticprostheticspecialist.com.
