FAQs

Contact our office at (856) 810-7900 for a pre-surgical consultation at no charge.

The right physical therapist will have extensive experience serving other amputees and is willing to work with you to achieve your short term and long term goals. The ideal therapist is one who has specific amputee gait training and has knowledge of how your prosthetic componentry works. The therapist is a part of your rehabilitative team and should feel comfortable working with your prosthetist to achieve the best outcomes for you. The relationship between the therapist and your prosthetist will have a significant impact on your outcome.

Phantom sensation ( or limb) is the feeling that an amputated limb is still attached and is moving appropriately with other body parts. Phantom sensations ( or Limb) usually will disappear or decrease over time.

Phantom limb pain is pain that feels like it is coming for a body part that is no longer there. This is a real sensation that originates in the spinal cord and brain. For many people, phantom pain dissipates over time with prosthetic utilization, but for others managing phantom pain can be challenging. You and your doctor can work together to treat phantom pain with medication or with other therapies.

Read more about Phantom Pain.

Unique to the individual and cause of amputation. Your surgeon will provide clearance for a prosthesis when the limb is healed from surgery. About 2 to 4 weeks after clearance you will be able to take your first steps with the prosthesis. (See prosthetic fitting process)

Beginning the Prosthetic Fitting Process

There are a number of steps involved in the prosthetic fitting process. You and your family may have some concerns or questions regarding this fitting process. Please know our team is here to answer any of your questions and we will be by your side through each step of this new journey.

As your limb is healing, a cloth shrinker will be prescribed by your physician to help control swelling. During your first appointment at POSI, an evaluation is performed by a prosthetist which includes learning about your pre-amputation activities and future goals. The information gathered by your prosthetist will be used to determine an appropriate design of your prosthesis. Having a proper prosthetic fitting is paramount in obtaining your goals and resuming your normal daily activities.

Casting for your Prosthetic Fitting

Once clearance from your surgeon for a prosthesis has been received, the prosthetic fitting process truly begins. Your limb will be hand-casted in our in-house fabrication lab to capture the exact shape of your residual limb which will guarantee an intimate socket fit. Check out our 3D printed prosthetics for more intricate designs.

Diagnostic Test Socket

Before delivery of the final prosthesis, there will be a number of fittings in a diagnostic test socket (DTS). A diagnostic test socket is a transparent plastic utilized to confirm that the socket is fitting properly. You will walk in the diagnostic test socket aligned on your definitive componentry (knee/foot). During this stage of your prosthetic fitting, the fit of the socket and the alignment will be fine-tuned and then transferred to make the definitive prosthesis.

Physical Therapy with Your Prosthetic Fitting

Upon receiving your new prosthesis, you will begin working with a physical therapist.  A physical therapist will help assist you in learning to walk and gain better mobility and control with your new prosthesis.  Although there are many steps in a prosthetic fitting, we hope that providing this information has answered some of your questions and concerns.  For more information or to schedule an appointment contact us today.

Your surgeon will provide clearance for a prosthesis when the limb is healed from surgery. About 2 to 4 weeks after clearance you will be able to take your first steps with the prosthesis. (See prosthetic fitting process).

For more information and to read stories from our patients visit our Featured Patients of POSI page.

There are different methods of suspension of the prosthesis.

They are: anatomical, suction, elevated vacuum, shuttle-lock (pin type) systems and lanyard systems.

• Anatomical suspension utilizes the contour of the bony prominences of the residual limb to hold onto.
• Suction system area used with either a cushion liner, with or without sealing bands, or direct skin contact of the residual lib. The socket has a a one way valve to expel the air out of the socket, which creates negative pressure in the socket to attain suspension.
• The elevated vacuum system utilizes an external pump to draw the air out of the socket and obtain negative pressure inside of the socket to achieve suspension.
• The shuttle lock system consist of a pin that is threaded to the distal end (bottom) of the liner, which then engages to the locking mechanism attached to the distal end of the socket to achieve suspension.
• The lanyard system often used with transfemoral (above knee) prosthesis. It consists of wearing a liner, attached at the distal end of the liner is a Velcro strap or braided string. Then is is fed through the locking mechanism and pulled out of the bottom of the socket to obtain suspension.

A socket that is fit properly, will be more comfortable to wear for prolonged duration. A proper fitting socket melds together, proper weight bearing areas, relief of bony prominences, and have total contact on the residual limb.

A prosthesis could be worn throughout the course of the day. A new prosthetic wearer or a new prosthesis, would require a wearing schedule to acquaint the residual limb to the prosthesis. Proper volume management of the residual limb throughout the wearing time, would also determine the length of time the amputee could wear the prosthesis.

A well fit lower extremity prosthesis should be used daily for up to 16 hours and for a lifetime. It benefits those who have multiple co-morbidities. Often there is improvement in mobility compared to pre-amputation for those who were managed for limb salvage.

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?

Don’t take our word for it. Read some interviews with POSI patients on our featured patients of POSI page.

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.

Contact us for information about local support groups. The Amputee Coalition of America also has a listing of support groups nationwide – www.amputee-coalition.org.

A referral is not necessary, however, a doctor’s prescription is required for us to provide a prosthetic device.

Absolutely!

Most prosthetic services require between one to three weeks to be completed. We also offer a run-through process where you can leave the same day with a temporary prosthesis. You can read about our entire process here: POSI Prosthetic Fitting Process

There are several ways you can get in contact with another amputee. You can reach out to the Amputee Coalition to have them contact a mentor for you. The Amputee Coalition is a wonderful resource to gain early knowledge on how the process works obtaining your prosthesis and getting you back to your pre-amputation status. Your mentor can help you to see what life is like with an amputation. Your mentor can give you valuable advice on how to navigate what steps are next in your journey toward independence.

Local Amputee support groups are another valuable resource that can help with the emotional support you will need during your rehabilitation. At these groups, you and your family members will get to meet and ask questions to fellow amputees about your prosthesis, your therapy and how to achieve your rehabilitative goals.

New Jersey
Amputee Coalition http://www.amputee-coalition.org/support-groups-peer-support/certified-peer-visitor-program/
Amps in Action @ Kessler Rehabilitation Hospital https://www.facebook.com/AMPS-IN-ACTION-MARLTON-NJ-102362346466836/
Voorhees Amputee and Stroke Organization https://www.facebook.com/Voorhees-Amputee-Stroke-Organization-1154893671206642

Pennsylvania
Magee Rehabilitation Amputee Support Group http://mageerehab.org/community/support-groups/amputee-support/
Montgomery County Amputee Support Group http://www.amputee-coalition.org/calendar-event/montgomery-county-amputee-support-group-lower-gywnedd-township-building-springhouse-pa/2017-08-14/

Your family is also dealing with your limb loss. They want what is best for you. Your family will have similar feeling to what your are feeling (sadness, frustration, fear of not knowing what life will be like with a prosthesis). Our goal here at POSI is to try to help you regain your independence and eventually return to your pre-amputation activities. You may do this a little differently, but with the right fitting prosthesis and proper training we will do our best to help you achieve the best outcomes.

Your overall comfort, control, confidence and ability to reach your goals are being met.

Hand casting is a wrapped impression of your limb and volume. It usually results with a superior fit of the residual limb. Highly customized to each individual. One off! CAD CAM/measurements can be done with measurements or digital scan, and utilizes a pre-determined template socket/shape that can work for the average of the patients. This does not give the clinician as much ability to modify the model or template as you would with an actual “positive” model. They can be effective but often are not detailed to the level of hand cast impressions. If measured only, not likely to result in a superior fit. The practitioner depends on the model template to create a generic model. Be cautious of measurements only to make a socket. Digital scans can be more effective than measurements, but also require a template of the average shape, and cannot accommodate uniqueness of individual amputation.

There are 3 possibilities:

• On site. Optimal ability for the practitioner to interact with the technician throughout the process.
• Internal C-Fabrication. Some interaction between practitioner and technician. May be modified by the practitioner, may not ask. Who is modifying model.
• External C-Fabrication. Likely providing the information model measurements to the technician. They have limited contact with practitioner, limited knowledge of the patient. Your model may be modified by the technician instead of your practitioner.

1. Pre-amputation lifestyle – the most important indicator of potential utilization after amputation

• Hobbies
• Vocation
• Terrain
• Previous activities

2. Objective testing – series of objective measurements that predict your potential mobility

• Amp Pro
• Timed Up and Go

3. Participatory Interview – a review of the prosthetic options that are available for your individual management

• Education of systems
• Options
• Pros/cons of each component

Below knee designs can range from 2 ½ lbs. up to 5 lbs. depending on componentry utilized. Above knee designs weigh between 5 lbs. and 9 lbs., also depending on componentry utilized.

Socket and componetry are expected to last 3-5 years. Either can be replaced before this time due to damage or physical change of the residual limb. (See socket fit)

The socket will fit appropriately until your body undergoes a physical change. Adjustments will be made to maintain fit for small changes. As a new amputee, your residual limb will change rapidly through the maturation process. Sockets may be replaced more frequently as your limb begins to mature. Weight changes of about 10 lbs or more will also affect socket fit. Even if there hasn’t been any significant change the active user can expect the socket to be changed on average 18-24 months.

Your first steps using the prosthesis will be taken in the office during the fitting process. Upon receipt of the prosthesis you will participate in a PT gait training program to learn to walk. It would be beneficial to supplement PT by participation in an OT program where you will learn proper donning techniques and how to use the prosthesis in the house and community.

Majority of the prosthesis components are water resistant. It could get wet in the rain and shallow puddles without damaging the device. Most of the current microprocessor controlled knees and feet/ankle complex are now water resistant, weatherproof, or waterproof.

The safest and most hygienic way to shower, is to use a shower chair. It would allow you to cleanse your residual limb at the same time you are washing your whole body. However, there are prosthesis that are specifically designed for showering for amputees that prefer, and are capable to stand, while taking a shower.

No. If we are contracted with your insurance company, we can only bill the contracted rate. If we are not contracted, we make every effort to keep costs at a minimum and to negotiate rates with your insurance company.

Most health insurance policies cover prosthetic services.  There are many plans that have specific prosthetic coverage.  Please contact your insurance carrier or POSI for this information.

Yes through part B coverage.

Medicare, Workman’s Compensation, Auto and most other insurances.  Please contact us directly to determine if we accept your insurance.

On your initial visit, please bring your physician prescription, your insurance cards, identification and any other related billing information.  For your convenience you can complete the patient information sheet and bring along with you.

The warranty period for a custom prostheses is three months for workmanship and materials.  The componentry part of the prosthesis has a warranty under the vendors guidelines that can be from 1-3 years.