Is March 2021 the Lion or the Lamb? March brought to us a cold wet welcome but have no fear, I am looking forward to it going out like a lamb! Bring on the sunshine and spring flowers!
March is a great month to call your prosthetist or orthotist and schedule your tune up! COVID has held us hostage in our homes for over a year. Many people have needed to stay home and stay safe, so we may have let some of our non emergency medical appointments slip by. This month’s blog is about the importance of getting a spring tune up scheduled.
This visit is so important due to the need to have the socket and foot checked for fit and wear and tear. I just had my tune up and we discovered that it is time for a new foot, as my practitioner noted a worn bumper and some delaminating happening on the bottom of my carbon fiber foot. My foot did well by me, as I got 3 and half years out of it. I am an adaptive athlete, so between 5k runs, general exercise, hiking, snowboarding, and walking 5-7 miles a day while at work, I really do work my prosthesis hard. Therefore, it has been three good years!
The other items I had to replace are what we call our consumables. These consist of sock ply, sock liners, and sleeves. It is so important that all of the items be in good repair - meaning no holes and no tears. You need to ask yourself, “Do my sleeves slide down? Have they gotten stretched or do they have holes in them and no longer hold suction?” If you have a pin lock system, are you having any difficulty getting it to lock in place? This is why it is so important to get that tune up appointment scheduled before the dog days of summer arrive. We are all hoping that the world will open up a little more this summer so let us be ready to enjoy whatever it may bring. Here is a list of things you will want to think about when you schedule that Tune Up Appointment!
1. You may need a new prescription from your doctor. If it has been awhile since you have seen your doctor, you may need a face-to-face visit. Some doctors are doing telehealth!
2. Is it the consumables we talked about? Liners, sleeves, sock ply.
3. Does your socket feel loose? What number of sock ply are you wearing? Are you are wearing an uncomfortable amount of sock ply?
4. When was the last time you had your foot shell cleaned out and had the Spectra Sock that protects your carbon foot inspected?
5. If you wear orthoses, the Velcro straps might need a good inspection, as would the entire device for cracks or other damage.
6. In what condition is your custom shoe insert or foot orthosis?
7. How secure are the rivets on your orthosis?
8. Has your child outgrown his or her braces?
Although Medicare is a stickler for orthosis replacement guidelines - there are a LOT of rules if you have received your most recent device in less than 5 years - repairs can be requested to put the orthosis back in good working order. There are also changes in your physical condition that are important to note, so that if a replacement orthosis is needed we can have the proper coordination of clinical documentation and our practitioner’s documentation. The best way to know the rules and possible options will be to talk to your clinician. This is true for your orthosis or prosthesis.
As you can see, there are all sorts of important reasons to get a spring tune up appointment with your practitioner! If you have any questions, give us a call to schedule an appointment to discuss your concerns and options. 410-636-8114 or 800-879-1245. Visit our locations page for information.
These tips are informed suggestions. If you do not feel comfortable with them, please do not attempt them. Instead as always contact your medical professional or your prosthetist for help and advice.
If you have a question for me about living as an amputee, ask! And if I don’t know the answer, I will find it for you, and I will leave no stone unturned to help you find your own personal new normal. If there is a topic you would like me to feature please let me know! I want us all to grow strong together. Email me at Dawn@dankmeyer.com. This email is not secure, so if you wish to keep any specific health information private, you should call us!
Dawn Miranda recently joined Dankmeyer, Inc. as a Prosthetist Assistant after relocating from San Antonio, TX. To read more about Dawn on our Clinical Staff page, click here.
