You do not have to go there

A referral or recommendation to a prosthetist does not mean you have to go there.

As a new amputee you may not be aware where you should go, or if you're like me, you don't even know what they are called. Sure, we have all seen amputees use prosthetics arms or legs, but where do they come from? While in inpatient

rehab, my husband kept asking how will she get a leg and when does that process happen? We did not receive a clear answer until I was close to being ready for a prescription.

During an appointment with the vascular surgeon (months after amputation, but that's a long story), the nurse practitioner mentioned someone from the O&P (orthotics and prosthetics) they work with who could meet with us at the next appointment. This would be our first time learning the name of the clinic and learning the title these offices hold.

The location for my vascular surgeon is not near my home, but ironically the O&P they recommended had a location not even five miles from my home. This prompted us to search for more O&P locations near home. We met with the person they recommended at the next appointment, and later met with another nearby clinic, and one in an entirely different state.

Meet with at least 3 prosthetists

When first meeting with these prosthetists we had no idea this would be a good idea and beneficial. We choose to meet with them for various reasons. The one out of state was based on interest in a particular socket that we believed could be beneficial. This meeting was done over Zoom and although the prosthetist was an above knee amputee like myself, I just did not get the warm and fuzzies. The second location near home was based on the fact they have locations nation wide and this could be seen as a benefit when traveling, plus we wanted to make sure we were making the right decision.

After meeting with the representative at the appointment, we scheduled a visit with the local office. This visit provided the reason we met with the other location close to home. At this meeting we learned the importance of the relationship between the prosthetist and the patient. I had no idea this would be a life long relationship. I thought I would get a leg and be on my way after a few follow up appointments. Now we understood that I needed to make sure I would be comfortable, understood, know they could provide what I need, and feel the warm and fuzzies.

What you should know before you go

Write down all the questions you have no matter how small or silly you believe they may be. Have a list of task you did before becoming an amputee, and what you'd like to continue to do or accomplish as an amputee. Do some research, prior to your appointment, on prosthetics that you might be interested in and want to ask about. Ask their hours and how they handle emergencies. Ask what they would recommend and why. Ask to see and touch samples.

What I learned

These visits taught me a lot. This is where I also learned about the need for a prosthetist as long as I am wearing a prosthesis. As an above knee amputee, I learned about the importance of weight for knee and ankle, as well as the socket. I learned how they are made, how they work, and why certain prosthetics are recommended. I learned what they do not do, what I likely would not qualify for, more information on the K level testing to determine what you qualify for, and just how invasive these sockets are. I touched samples, I seen samples of sockets already made, and we toured a workshop where the sockets are made.

Most importantly I also learned that things are not always what they seem. Sometimes you will see a really cool socket, knee, or foot then learn there is a difference between why someone might have that item, or that something is more expensive and was purchased outside of insurance, or it is for someone who is amputated below the knee, special made, not made as advertised, for a more advanced amputee, a prototype, and the list goes on and on. We also learned that different O&P offices like different technology. For example, many prosthetist love the C-leg by Ottobock and will therefore recommend that knee. By going to another O&P, we learned about the Linx by Blatchford.

Fortunately the amputee and limb difference community is small when considering the percentage of people in the U.S. But unfortunately, this means that searching for prosthetics using Google is not very helpful. In all the searching my husband did for months, then I continued, and not one time did we see anything on this Linx one limb system. Prosthetists are definitely partial to certain prosthetics and if they can they will try and talk you into what they like.

So who did I choose

Before I made the final decision, I decided to ask a few additional questions from the location I was leaning towards. I asked if I could speak to someone who is a currently using their services and I asked about the Linx system that I was now interested in. I also checked any reviews that I could find online.

I then decided to go with the initial clinic that was recommended. I choose them because of location, they provided a lot of information that we were not aware of, they were available to answer any questions, they were very knowledgable, and I felt the most comfortable with them. The relationship will be one of the most important factors in the choosing the prosthetist.

If you're like me and you're not good at decision making, go back through your list of needs and ask any additional questions you might have. I do understand that in some areas (like a rural area or smaller town) there are less options available, and in some cases only one option is available. If you are limited, you may not have any other choice, and in that case you will want to make sure you are advocating for yourself, or take someone with you who will.

If multiple options are available, do not feel obligated or made to choose who is recommended. If you do choose them, you can change your mind and prosthetist at any time.