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FAQ
I'm facing an amputation. What should I do first?
Contact our office at 843-347-5800 for a pre-surgical consultation at no charge.
How do I choose a prosthetist and prosthetic facility?
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?
How much will my prosthetic care cost?
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 co-pays. If you don't have insurance, they will help you find a pay source.
Does prosthetic care at your facility cost more than others?
No. If we are contracted with your insurance company, we can only bill the contracted rate. If we not contracted, we make every effort to keep costs at a minimum and to negotiate rates with your insurance company.
How long will it take to get my prosthesis?
The average below-knee definitive prosthesis requires 10 appointments for fitting and delivery. An average above-knee definitive prosthesis requires 15 appointments. A temporary prosthesis requires approximately 5 appointments. We never promise that we will complete your prosthesis in less time than this, but we will promise that you will receive the absolute best care possible.
What can I do about phantom pain?
Phantom limb pain or sensation is the feeling that the amputated limb is still present. Virtually all amputees have phantom sensations to some degree; a much smaller percentage has phantom pain. Phantom pain, significant enough to cause a patient to seek medical care, occurs in approximately 5 to 10% of the amputee population. Phantom limb pain appears to be more common in patients who lose a limb at an older age. Phantom limb pain may develop immediately after injury or may develop weeks, months, or even years after the injury.
The pain may vary from a continuous cramping, aching, and burning to an electric shock-like sensation. Stress, anxiety, fear or fatigue will usually increase the patient's discomfort. There are many different types of therapies that have attempted to relieve this pain, ranging from acupuncture to complicated surgical procedures. The best initial treatment is to determine the factors which increase the pain and to eliminate these factors. Psychological and environmental factors can play a major role in the genesis of pain behavior. Therapies such as massage, wearing a shrinker, and looking into mirrors are conservative treatments that often work.
How can I find a support group?
Contact our office at 843-347-5800 for information about local support groups. The Amputee Coalition of America also has a listing of support groups nationwide - www.amputee-coalition.org.
How often should I see my prosthetist?
You should see your prosthetist every six months or if either of the following occurs:
- You've experience weight gain or loss, even if it's 5 lbs. or 2% of your body weight.
- Your activity level has changed.
