Prosthetics can change your life forever.
The wrong one, however, will have the opposite effect. Too many people today are struggling with the consequences of ill-fitting and poorly made prosthetics, affecting their mobility and pulling their future away bit-by-bit. Custom orthotics can change that. Providing specialized care to craft the ideal prosthetic, orthotic services understand that there’s no such thing as a ‘one size fits all’. Everything from your height and weight and posture will be taken into consideration when you visit a specialist, creating a one-of-a-kind prosthetic designed to lift you up rather than weigh you down.
Did You Know?
The need for prosthetic limbs is on the rise. Nearly two million people across the United States are currently living with limb loss. The most common sources of amputation are the aftermath of diabetes, cancer and blunt force trauma. Over 185,000 people will have an amputation every year, making proper prosthetic services less and less of an option. Reclaiming your mobility can be as complex as applying for custom prosthetics or as simple as finding a pressure relief shoe.
What Kinds Of Amputation Are There?
Amputation is the last resort when other methods aren’t working. It is, more often than not, a life-saving measure. There are more than one million limb amputations every year across the globe, adding up to an estimated one every 30 seconds, and the field of orthotic services is expanding as a result. Congenital amputation is the absence of either all or part of a limb at birth, by far the least common form out of the group. A mere 2,000 babies will be born with this condition. Diabetes can cause significant nerve damage over time, eventually creating infections that need to be cut out as soon as possible.
What Are The More Common Forms Of Limb Loss?
Amputation can be partial and it can be total. It can be an option and it can be the only way to save a person’s life. Some of the more common forms of limb loss are on the hand, regarding the fingers, though loss of limb concerning the leg, foot and toes are very widespread. The four types of artificial limbs available today are transfemoral, transradial, transtibial and tranhumeral prostheses. Although artificial limbs have been around for many decades, the models created today are more flexible and sturdy than they’ve ever been.
What Kind Of Prosthetics Are Available?
Depending on your condition you may need a more custom model to provide you the mobility and support you need to live a high quality life. The Center For Orthotic and Prosthetic Care found over 85% of all amputations to involve a lower limb, such as a leg or foot. This makes the pressure relief shoe a major necessity for many if they’re to regain their lost mobility as accurately as possible. Other products include walking boots, prosthetic limbs and the back brace. Learning how to use your prosthetic limb or pressure relief shoe takes therapy and practice, but before you know it you’ll be feeling the benefits of increased mobility.
What Other Resources Are Available To Me?
It’s important to keep in mind on your road to recovery that there is no ‘one size fits all’. What may work wonderfully for one person may not be enough for you. The spinal orthosis, for example, is a back brace designed explicitly to hold the spine in place. This helps prevent the curve of the spine from twisting in on itself and getting worse. Wearing this on a regular basis will encourage up to 80% of the curves to stay the same, reducing pain and increasing independence all at once. Meet with a prosthetist and ask them about the possible benefits of a pressure relief shoe or lace-up ankle orthosis.
Your journey can’t be duplicated. Explore your needs and get the help you need to move forward with confidence.