Hope

The majority of people with amputations are able to return to the activities they were doing before the amputation. During your first consultation, your prosthetist will ask about your personal goals so they can make a prosthesis to help you achieve them.

The answer to this question depends upon your insurance plan, the device you need, and your diagnosis. We accept most insurances as an approved provider for Medicare, Medicaid, and most HMO’s. Depending upon your insurance, you may have a deductible, copay, or a percentage of the total cost that you will be responsible for paying. Note that insurance coverage is NOT a guarantee of full payment.

You do not need a doctor’s referral for treatment at any Horton’s location, but you do need a doctor’s prescription to obtain a device. Most physicians need to have seen you in the past 6 months before they will write a prescription. We are able to work with you and your physician to request a prescription if you have seen them recently.

Following your operation, you will have to adjust to life as a new amputee. This is a process that can be as much of a challenge as adjusting to life as a new amputee. With proper self-care and support from others, however, your recovery does not need to be such a struggle. At Horton’s, we believe that losing a limb does not entail losing your pastimes. You can be active and independent. Our number one priority is for you to have an increased quality of life, starting with a fitting prosthetic.

Schedule an appointment today for a free consultation!

Although our consultations are free, if you need a prosthetic or orthotic device, come to your first appointment with a prescription from your physician in hand. You should also always bring your insurance card and a photo ID. If you are a new patient and have pre-scheduled an appointment, you can experience a smoother check-in process in you fill out our patient forms prior to arrival.

Once you are placed in a consultation room, the first phase of your visit will consist of a thorough examination and evaluation by an orthotist or prosthetist. They will be looking at your records from your referring physician, physically examining you, and performing any tests deemed necessary to evaluate your needs.

Your clinician will then recommend a specific device and begin measuring you for that device so that it can be custom fabricated for you. Afterwards, you will discuss how the fitting process works, establish your treatment and/or rehabilitation plan, and answer any questions you may have about your care.

Most prostheses, uncovered, should not be worn in the shower or while swimming. The water will rust the metal components and screws. You can purchase a shower cover for your prosthesis – ask us where you can buy one (link to contact us).

If swimming is an important activity for you, special prosthetic swimming legs are available, so speak to your prosthetist.

A custom-fitted prosthesis can last for several years. The length of time depends on the amount of time you wear the prosthesis during the day and what kind of activities you use it for. It is a good idea to have your device checked by your prosthetist every 6-12 months to make sure it is in good working order. Liners will usually start to wear out in about 6-12 months and need to be replaced, depending on how much you use them.

For pedorthic devices, factors such as your weight, activity level, and the style of foot orthotic you have will affect the device’s lifespan. Generally, the more rigid the device, the longer it will last. So a rigid plastic device may last 2-3 years while the top-cover material may not. A soft device, such as a diabetic shoe, may last less than one year.

Custom devices take approximately 2-3 weeks to custom-fit and fabricate following approval from your insurance company. Special orders make take longer, depending on the device’s specifications.

Off the shelf, prefabricated devices may be purchased the same day if we have them in stock.

For above-knee and below-knee amputees, your doctor will usually prescribe a preparatory prosthesis, which is used to reduce swelling and help you walk as soon as possible. This device can be worn for 3-6 months following your surgery. During this period of time, you will learn how to adjust and wear your prosthesis and how to walk with it. Once your physician finds that you are ready for a definitive (or long-term) prosthesis, they will write you a new prescription.

A properly-fit prosthesis should not cause you pain, but rather relieve it. Some studies have shown that for amputees, prosthetics can actually help to alleviate phantom limb pain.

If you are ever in need of new liners, socks, shoes, or other supplies, please call the office at 501-683-8889 or contact your prosthetist to order more supplies.