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FAQ
Alex, I'm an amputee and I'm interested in extreme sports but I don't even know where to begin. Any ideas?
Extremity Games 7 (eX7) would be a great place to start! Extremity Games Motocross is scheduled for May 26 in Millington, Michigan and Extremity Games Main Event is scheduled for June 22-23 in San Antonio, Texas. Extremity Games is an extreme sports event including competitions, instructional clinics and exhibitions for athletes with amputations and spinal cord injuries.
Motocross: Extremity Games Motocross will be broken out into two divisions: AMP (i.e. amputee, etc) and PARA (paraplegic, quadriplegic, etc). Riders will race a Two-Moto format during Baja Acres' Memorial Day race weekend. Athletes will be competing for a cash purse.
Main Event: Extremity Games Main Event includes competitions and instructional clinics in skateboarding, speed rock climbing, wakeboarding, sit-boarding, kayaking and cross country mountain biking. Exhibitions include motocross and mixed martial arts.
A full-day of instructional clinics and Athlete Sign-in are set for Friday, June 22 from 9 am - 3 pm at the Texas Ski Ranch in New Braunfels, Texas, which will be followed by the Athlete Sign-in and Welcome Reception at the host hotel from 6-9 pm.
eX7 Main Event Competitions run on Saturday, June 23 from 8 am - 5 pm. Extremity Games concludes Saturday evening with an award ceremony and BBQ at Texas Ski Ranch. All are welcome to join the BBQ awards celebration. Tickets are available on-line or at the door
Elite and Novice competitions are available at eX7 Main Event. Elite competition athletes will compete for cash prizes, while Novice competition athletes will compete for prizes. Cash prizes will be determined by the amount of participants in each competition/division.
Click here for more info.
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.
I've had my prosthesis for several years now. How long is it supposed to last?
The useful lifespan of your prosthesis depends on several factors. Changes in the residual limb volume (size) often necessitate modifying or replacing the socket to maintain a proper and comfortable fit. Changes in activity level, body weight, component fatigue and general wear and tear are all factors that determine the lifespan of the rest of the prosthesis. It is critical that your prosthesis fit properly and be in sound physical condition to withstand the forces placed on it daily. I recommend that prostheses be evaluated and safety-checked at least every 6 months by a certified prosthetist. Often, major problems can be prevented by early detection.
