They’re not cheap, true. Our industry is constantly pushing forward to discover new possibilities, and like with any other high-tech equipment, the up-front costs and risks are high. When you stop to think about the impact of a missing limb on a person’s life, you realize that gaining mobility and access is priceless. Fortunately, the capability to make ‘parts’ to amend and even enhance anatomical ability is a reality. Breaking new barriers is costly; companies invest large sums and massive brain power into solving certain challenges. Our job is to do whatever we can to increase the chances of a patient gaining access to the very best, and wea are proud to say our Insurance Department has been quite successful at that.
Our skin designs are engineered to maintain a delicate balance between weight and sturdiness, ensuring optimal performance for our customers. On average, our silicone prosthetics add between 400 and 600 grams (14 to 21 ounces) to the overall weight. We prioritize the use of materials that are both light and durable, in order to maintain our commitment to designing high-quality prosthetic devices that meet the needs of our clients.
All of the prosthetics made at A Step Ahead Prosthetics are customized for each individual patient based on anatomy, needs, functional lifestyle, and cosmetic preferences. In order to provide you with an accurate cost estimate, please contact our office so that we can set up an in-person or phone consultation for you with Erik Schaffer, C.P.
Technology and research have transformed prosthetic feet, offering amputees a range of options for various activities like walking, running, cycling, golfing, swimming, and skiing. These feet come equipped with shock absorbers, adjustable heel heights, waterproof materials, and toe and heel springs for more natural ankle movement. When choosing the right prosthetic foot, age, amputation level, weight, activity level, and occupational needs should be taken into account. Prosthetic feet can be divided into two categories: non-articulated and articulated feet. They can also be classified based on their function, including Solid Ankle Cushioned Heel (SACH), Elastic Keel Foot, Single-Axis Foot, Multi-Axis Foot, Dynamic-Response Foot, and Microprocessor Foot.
The prosthetic industry is something most people don’t really know about until they need it, and it’s often hard to find information about it. There is no handbook to becoming an amputee, but what makes A Step Ahead unique in the orthotic and prosthetic industry is that everything we do is entirely done in-house. From start to finish, each item we create for our patients is done within days. We do not outsource any of the work, which enables us to give our patients a better-fitting prosthesis in a very short period of time.
Most of our patients are fitted within a single week. On day one, they are casted in our facility with one of the prosthetists, and by the end of day one, they are in their diagnostic socket, a temporary socket made of clear plastic meant to help the prosthetist get a perfect fit for the final prosthesis. By day two, the prosthetist will have a complete prosthetic made, and the rest of their time at our facility will be spent working on gait training and adjusting the socket! Some vital things to remember: you should not be waiting for weeks or months to walk in your finished prosthetic, and once it is finished, you should not need to make frequent trips to the prosthetist for adjustments; comfort and durability are essential when using a prosthetic, and a well-made prosthetic will have both.
We’re also very proud of our ability to make custom prosthetics to enable our patients to do the activities they love. Anything you wants to do like dancing, gymnastics, soccer, swimming, etc. is possible! Our motto is “Live Life Without Limitations,” and we stand by our commitment to help them achieve their goals and truly live their lives without limitations.
Every insurance policy is different. Our insurance department and prosthetic staff will work with you to ensure that you are informed of all of the details of your prosthetic coverage.
The cost and setup of a prosthesis and prosthetic components can vary depending on each individual patient’s needs. For more information about specific costs and the benefits of different types of prosthetic components, please call our office to speak to us.
The time required to learn how to use a prosthesis depends on many factors including your prior level of activity, the level of your amputation, and your goals and motivation. Our staff will work with you every step of the way to help ensure that you reach your goals as quickly as possible and that you resume your life without limitations.
The life expectancy of the silicone skin depends completely upon the person wearing it. With proper care, they are quite durable.
- Gently wash when needed with soap and water or alcohol using a sponge.
- Avoid walking barefoot as a puncture will cut through the silicone and may cause further damage or tearing of the skin later on.
- CAREFULLY use a shoe horn to put shoes on to avoid constant stretching of the ankle.
- Thoroughly wash new jeans before wearing them over your prosthetic – the indigo dye, if not fully washed out, will permanently stain your skin.
- Never use self-tanning lotion on your prothesis – it will permanently stain your skin.
- If your prosthesis has acrylic nails, never use nail polish remover with acetone as it will destroy the nails. Always use non-acetone nail polish remover. Play it safe and bring your own non-acetone remover and nail polish to be used on your acrylic nails at nail salons (some salons use acetone to water down their nail polishes).
It depends on the type of prosthesis. A Step Ahead Prosthetics can create water legs that are completely submersible in water. Some microprocessor knee units are waterproof, although many are not. Your prosthetist will advise you to the care that should be taken when using your prosthesis around water.
The skins themselves are waterproof, but the underlying mechanics of the leg may not be. Your prosthetist will be able to advise you on proper care of your prosthesis and skin cover.