In our previous post, we answered some commonly answered questions concerning custom made orthotics and prosthetic limbs. Here we continue with our list in hopes of explaining more about orthotic services and how they can help in enhancing mobility.
Q: How much does a prosthetic limb cost?
A: As these accessories are entirely custom to your needs, the prices do range. However, depending on your health care plan, they can be covered by insurance and you may not have to pay a penny out of pocket.
Q: How long do I have to wait to get a prosthesis?
A: It wholly depends on how you recover from amputee surgery. Depending on your injury you may get a temporary prosthesis immediately after surgery while you wait for a prosthetist to make you a customized accessory. However, generally speaking, you will have to wait until your residual limb has healed completely after surgery as the incision has to be fully healed and the swelling has gone down to get properly measured.
Q: What is a K-level and why is it important?
A: Health insurance companies, specifically Medicare, utilize a K-level system that analyzes your rehab potential. This is a way for them to predict your potential success with the prosthesis, and to figure out what portion of the prosthesis they will cover. The scale ranges from 0-4, with four being an incredible success and 0 being a failed assessment showing you will not be able to cope with your new accessory.
Q: How long will it take for me to resume normal activities with my new prosthesis?
A: With a dedicated regime of physical and occupational therapy, you should see improvement in daily activities within a couple of months. But it is important to realize that your new prosthesis is simply a tool that will help you do things you used too, and you need to rely on every other part of your body to achieve success.
There are more than 3,000 patient care facilities that provided orthotic and prosthetic services across the nation. If you are interested in talking to a prosthetist, please call our facility today.