Frequently Asked Questions
Explore various topics in the tabs below. If you can’t find the answer to your question, feel free to contact us.
- All
- Insurance & Pricing
- Prosthetic Management
- Prosthetics
- Realistic Silicone Prosthetics
- Wellness Products
- What makes us Different
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.
Try wearing a shrinker or Ace bandage overnight to prevent swelling. New amputees should wear these whenever the prosthesis is off, as they shape the leg and prevent fit issues. Hot weather can also make donning difficult; seek cool environments or apply ice (with a towel) to reduce swelling. If issues persist, non-medicated baby powder may help temporarily, but prolonged use can lead to mechanical problems requiring the prosthetist’s intervention.
Slipping Prosthesis?
A leaky air valve or incomplete attachment may cause slipping. If issues persist after ensuring proper attachment, contact your prosthetist for a remedy
If you develop a mild rash, utilize an over-the-counter steroid cream and ensure thorough rinsing of soap from your socket or liners after washing. Keeping your residual limb dry is crucial. Seek medical advice if these measures prove ineffective. Here’s how to address common skin conditions associated with prosthetic use:
Itchy Rash: Apply over-the-counter steroid cream; rinse socket or liners thoroughly; keep limb dry. Seek medical advice if ineffective.
Fungal Infection: Use anti-fungal cream; keep limb dry. Seek medical advice if treatment fails.
Verrucous Hyperplasia: Address poor socket fit promptly; seek medical advice for skin care.
Ingrown Hair/Folliculitis: Use ichthymal; avoid shaving on limb.
Emergency Attention:
- Cold, blue limb or persistent muscle pain
- Foul odor, swelling, or discharge from limb
- Ulcers or gangrenous skin.
Exercise caution to minimize infection risk and maximize prosthetic comfort.
Infections can prevent active lifestyles with prostheses due to the prosthetic socket’s warm, moist environment. Signs include pus, odor, hot spots, fever, pain, skin breakdown, blisters, and rashes. Prevent infections by:
- Washing your residual limb daily with unscented, unpigmented antibacterial soap; wash more frequently if prone to sweat, rashes, or infections.
- Avoid alcohol-based lotions; use a small amount of baby oil to keep skin moist and soft.
- Clean the prosthesis’ skin-contact parts daily with hot water and antibacterial soap.
- For liner users: alternate liners daily, clean with antibacterial soap, rinse thoroughly, and apply baby oil inside weekly after cleaning with isopropyl alcohol.
- Maintain prosthetic fit to avoid pressure and pain; adjust sock ply as needed for below-knee amputees and seek adjustments for discomfort.
- Keep body weight stable to prevent fit issues; weight changes can necessitate socket adjustments or new prostheses.
- Choose the correct heel hardness and height for prosthetic feet and discuss adjustments with your prosthetist.
- Keep the residual limb and liner dry; remove and dry them multiple times a day if you sweat excessively. Use antiperspirant only if recommended by your prosthetist.
- Check your residual limb for abnormal pressure areas several times a day, especially if sensation is decreased, to prevent significant breakdown.
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).
Even when you are not confronted with an emergency, regular care and treatment is necessary to achieve a successful outcome. We make it a point to follow up with our patients to make sure that they schedule regular visits. Follow-up permits us to make sure that your prosthetic components are functioning properly and are not showing excessive wear, that all attachment points are secure, and that your socket fits comfortably. Failing to come in for this regular treatment can lead to more serious health problems, and we strongly advise all clients to stop by at the recommended intervals for their own benefit.
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.