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Recent Posts
With prosthetics taking on a greater presence in pop culture, many amputees are feeling more comfortable in the public eye. With this sense of comfort, some prosthetic users are even rethinking the objective of looking normal and opting to make their prosthetic devices stand out even more. Manufacturers and prosthetic facilities are following suit by offering amputees more choices in cosmetic finishing. Exposed...
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"We need to change the attitudes of the general public, physicians, and patients," says Jan Ertl. "They need to regard amputation not as a failure, but as a new beginning. We want to provide a limb that will give them the best function possible for a healthier life and the ability to pursue their goals, whatever they may be."Immediately following an Ertl procedure, great care must be taken to ensure...
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"Amputation should not be looked at as a failure. It should be looked at as a reconstructive procedure that will provide the patient with a functional residual limb that can be fitted well with a prosthesis and improve the patient's quality of life. I get frustrated with the idea that amputation is just amputation—'cut off the leg and get on with it.'"—William J.J. Ertl, MD
The principle behind...
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A prosthesis is a very customized device for each patient to provide optimum comfort and functionality. Each patient can decide if he or she wants the prosthesis to have a subtle, more natural appearance or they can have it look more industrial without any covering. There is usually a specific process that each prosthetist takes a patient through when being fit for his or her prosthesis.
Step 1: Taking...
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Compression garments are great tools that help patients control the swelling in their extremities as well as reduce their pain.
If the swelling is not great or localized in the fingers, the patient can get a gauntlet, which does not incorporate the fingers. It just takes care of the swelling in the dorsal part of your hand. One of our certified fitters likes to use the compression glove with open...
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OR?
Are you a plain Jane, or a lympheDIVA?
Even though you need a compression garment many people would rather not wear, at least lets have some fun with it. Garments with a little extra pizazz do the job just as basic beige garments do.
Compression sleeves and gloves are needed when the lymph system has been interrupted by surgery or removal of the lymph nodes. Whether you have...
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Many years ago Diabetic shoes were know more as orthopedic shoes. The shoes were usually boxy and ugly. The styles of the shoes were very limited in styles and colors and most of the shoes were made of heavy weight leather and usually pretty stiff when first purchased. They also were lace shoes only.
Over the years the shoes have improved greatly. Many of the improvements stem from the greater awareness...
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Losing a limb can be a deeply traumatic event, which changes to positive when the patient receives his or her prosthesis. Ensuring that their prosthesis remains a relatively stress free part of their life is easy with proper care and maintenance.
The following are important reminders to help your patient care for their prosthesis:
Keep the prosthesis clean: This is the easiest way to guard against...
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Hear straight from one of our Certified Mastectomy Fitters as to why dealing with a Certified Fitter is the best choice for Post-Mastectomy patients.
Being a Certified Mastectomy Fitter and a 4 1/2 year Breast Cancer Survivor, I have been on both sides of the fence. In my case, I didn't need the Certified Fitter, because I just needed a lumpectomy and radiation treatments. The initial thoughts though,...
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Early intervention in the treatment of Posterior Tibial Tendon dysfunction (PTTD) can help stop the progression of the condition and possibly prevent the need for future surgery.
Research has shown that early intervention can stop or slow the progression of PTTD. Early intervention can include but is not limited to the following:
Orthotic devices - such as a foot orthotic or an Ankle...
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