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Posted on: Fri, Apr 25 2008 12:02 AM
Posted by: HaroldLloyd Posts: 7
Well he is no longer my prosthetist. Today he gave up on me. He was trying to tell me that this Ceterus foot was top of the line, energy storing, but it was the only foot he could get for me. I told him I don't buy that and that it didn't seem like an energy storing foot to me. I told him I wanted to try a flex foot. But he told me the Ceterus was the only option I had, when earlier he had said that I could try out different feet (told me what i wanted to hear). I kept wanting to talk about the foot and he kept trying to change the subject.
After my appointment I asked his receptionist for a copy of the paper I signed last week. I heard her go in back and mumble with the prosthetist and he came out to the lobby shortly after. He sat me down and told me that his wife and his daughter were having mental health issues and he didn't think he could give me the care I needed, that he want's to wish me well and send me on my way. It was wierd.
He said he doesn't recommend anyone local for care. Maybe he knows something? Oh and get this... then I asked him if I could get a Flex Foot with workers comp from someone else and he says "Oh sure," as if it would be no problem at all, just go in and tell them exactly what I want.
I want to go to another local place, but I want to avoid this situation again. I will tell them what foot I want and that I want as much time as it takes to make me a well fitting socket. I will tell them exactly what I expect. I wonder what are some good things to ask the next prosthetist to avoid going through this mess again? Thanks everyone for the words and advice you gave me. You gave me the confidence that I was getting bad care and the confidence to not stand for it.
Posted on: Fri, Apr 25 2008 2:24 AM
Posted by: Becky Posts: 1,547
Glad to hear you were able to get out from under all that mess. Now you can start over. Sounds like he was trying to get away with doing the least he could for the most money. He should be reported to the state licensure board, but it sounds like he has all the problems he needs right now. Now you can start over. You have to be assertive some times to get what you want. It sounds like you know exactly what you want.
I have the flex foot, I think. It's made of carbon fiber and um, flexes, ha-ha. I love it. It feels and looks like I am walking normally. I do have problems with balance though, but it's sooo much better than a stationary foot.
Good luck to you!
Posted on: Sat, Apr 26 2008 1:07 PM
Posted by: NathanL Posts: 8
Hey Harold,
Where do you live? I'll call my prosthetist and ask if he knows anyone in the area if you want.
Nathan
Posted on: Sat, Apr 26 2008 3:53 PM
I live near Mansfield, Ohio and there are three prosthetists in town but one of them was that guy, and he recommended against the other two. I don't know why he recommended against them but people in the same industry all know each other's reputations so maybe he knows something, or maybe he want's to protect his own reputation, I don't know. So It would be nice to hear if someone else knows anyhting about Mansfield's prostheticians. He did recommend one person in Columbus- Capital Orthotic and Prosthetic. Columbus is an hour and 45 minute drive though and that will add up with all of the trips that it takes to make a foot. If you or your prosthetist know anything I would love to hear it, thank you.
Posted on: Tue, Apr 29 2008 4:53 PM
Posted by: RobPinkston Posts: 2
I just read your post and man, it sounds like you have had a bummer of an experience. I see you are a recipient of a bonebridge. How fortunate are you?!! Mind if I ask who did your surgery?
As you probably know, someone that has received a bonebridge can be and really should be fit somewhat differently than someone who has received a conventional amputation. ( I mean this in a good way) I have seen a lot of bonebridges. You are definately ahead of the game in that department. And that gal that said suction is the way to go, I agree with her completely! One thing you may check into that is some what like suction but a little more agressive for suspension is a negative pressure socket. Its like suction on steroids! No pistioning, minimal volume changes and just awsome suspension. You mentoned not having a choice of foot, just know you really have lots of choices. By the way, a great place to find prosthetic practitioners experienced with the Ertl bonebridge is ertlreconstruction.com. They are listed by state. Kentucky is not that far away (hint hint) :)
Good luck!
Rob
Posted on: Tue, Apr 29 2008 6:10 PM
Posted by: BlackPanther4320 Posts: 2
Hey Harold, First let me introduce my self. My name is Andre, and I have been a amputee for about 43 years. My first prosthesis I was 2 years old. I didn't know who made the first one, but as time went on I foud out that Kargs Prostethtics was making them. And they did for quite a while. I didnot have any problem with them, even tho I was still young durning that period of time. But being athletic as I tried to be I was wearing them out more then I was getting them, it seems as tho during that time they were not making legs durable enough to take as much pressure as they may do now. Now as I got older I began trying different prosthetic places to see if they could make me one that would last a good 5 to 7 years, but having low medical insurance such as medi-cal, they would only pay for what I was worth sort of speak. When I moved to Riverside where I now reside, I found a pretty good prosthetic place in Loma Linda California. It was named Adept Prosthetics behind the Veterans Hospital inwhich they also made prosthetics for the vets as well. Now not only did they make me a few of them, the doctor, and onwer of this place taught me how to make them as well. It was difficult at first, but as time accumulated I began to learn how to make one. As I ask the doctor what do I have to do to learn how to become one he told me that I would have to go to college for about 2 to 4 years, of course a AA degree would help as well. Now I dont know if anyof this would help you any, but if I could help with anything else you need to know please feel free to write me back. God Bless You and take care of yourself, and remember we are the best
Posted on: Wed, Apr 30 2008 12:21 PM
Rob,
I really am fortunate to have a bone bridge and it's nice to remember that. As for who did my surgery, it was Dr. Brian Davison at Grant Hospital in Columbus. It was only his second ertl surgery. It was Mr. Raymond Francis of Ohio Willow Wood who convinced him to use the ertl surgery. Immediately out of the hospital I was under Mr Francis' care and he gave me some great care and I am lucky to have had such a good prosthetist right off the bat, so that I know what good care looks like. Here's to good prosthetists! Thanks for the link, I think I will check out the American Orthopedics in Columbus. I am interested in negative pressure sockets but I can't find much info on the web about them.
Posted on: Wed, Apr 30 2008 12:31 PM
Andre,
That's exactly what I want to do, make my own prothesis. Without these skills I am sort of at the mercy of what care I can get. If I am lucky it will be good care but I've learned you can't always count on that. It'd be nice to not have to rely on another person for such an important part of my life, not that it gets me down that I have to, but I just know it would make me so happy to have one I made with my own hands. And to have the skills and materials to experiment with new ideas, that would be so great. That's so cool that you found a person who taught you how. I'm condsidering a tech program so I can get the skills and to get my hands on some of the equipment and materials. I will write back if I have any questions, thank you.
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