June 2008 Entries
I have been fortunate to attend my first ACA meeting and must say that I was very impressed with the event. I have attended many National meetings before and have never felt the electricity before that I felt here the past couple of days. From the attendees to the exhibitors and most importantly the ACA, I must congratulate and applaud for the excitement that each and every one portrayed throughout the weekend. You all have to understand what each and everyone of you do to help individuals with their specific issues. I was very glad to be a part of...
Every once in a while I am asked by a patient to provide them with a prosthetic foot that adjusts in heel height. I am actually surprised that I am not asked more often due to the advancements in this area. I am familiar with three of the newer feet that are available. 1. Accent from College Park 2. Elation from Ossur 3. Runway from Freedom Innovations. They have come a long way from the original Safe Adjustable heel Foot from over a decade ago. I actually had the opportunity today to fit all three to a female...
Today was an interesting day because I had the opportunity to fit an I Limb to a 30 year old amputee. He had been wearing a prosthesis for 3 years due to a traumatic accident. The accident left the gentlemen a left wrist disarticulation. I have never met a more inspirational and positive individual. I encourage him to attend all of our support groups and any functions that he may be able to benefit someone else with his positive outlook on life post amputation. He had been wearing a myoelectric prosthesis for the past 2 years and a body...
Many view this as the most difficult patient to treat. It is true, but here is some insight that may answer why. I have found that patients that suffer from a traumatic accident are normally the most concerned with cosmetics. When I say traumatic, I mean those that have resulted in limb loss due to car/motorcycle accidents, work related, and other accidents that may not have been their fault. These type of amputees are normally very angry that the accident had occurred because it may not have been their fault. Traumatic accidents comprise of about 20% of the amputee...