Resource O&P is committed to individualized patient care. Every situation is unique and each patient has a very personal set of needs and goals in their prosthetic care and rehabilitation.

We begin with highly trained and experienced specialists that start with patient assessment. 

• You will receive information and education on prosthetic options and recommendations on the appropriate prosthesis for your needs. 
• With our regular follow-up care, costly refittings and modifications will be kept to a minimum so that we can help you keep costs to a minimum.
• Follow-up care to ensure proper fit, comfort and usage of the prosthesis is an absolute must and a step that we take very seriously.
• All patients are urged to include physical rehabilitation therapy in their recovery. Exercises that promote strength, mobility and coordination are vital to a patient's success in wearing a prosthesis. At Resource O&P we are there every step of the way, ensuring that you return to the quality of life that you would expect.

Please read the information below for more specifics on each phase of this process:

Pre-Surgery - People do not want to think about an amputation. The last thing on your mind is what shape the residual limb will be in following surgery. However, it is very important to realize that the way the amputation is done will significantly impact your life forever.

• Your medical team views an amputation as “reconstructive” surgery today and focuses on creating a residual limb that will provide the most function following surgery.
• If the amputation is not an emergency, it is usually best to consult with your surgeon and prosthetist before surgery. This will allow you to understand what the next steps are for you and the new care of your stump and limb.
  • Resource O&P will also be happy to meet with you to discuss what to expect from start to finish and our head prosthetist may even go into your surgery to help ensure future success with your fitting.

Dealing with the Loss of a Limb - The amputation of a limb is a life-changing experience. It is not only a tremendous physical loss, but it can also be emotionally devastating as well. Everybody deals with these feelings in different ways. A key element to the mental, as well as the physical recovery process, is acceptance of the changes you will face in your life. Learning to accept change will help you to be emotionally healthy, enabling you to lead a  more fulfilling life.

• One thing to keep in mind is that it is not just the amputee that suffers. Family and friends will also struggle to cope with new feelings and anxiety.
• A key to getting back into life after amputation is to put things in perspective and deal with one thing at a time. Some individuals will feel like they have to constantly  “prove” they can do things. This leads to additional stress and can be unhealthy.
• Enjoy the successes and accomplishments, no matter how small, and don’t dwell on obstacles or setbacks.
• Amputation can be particularly difficult to overcome for older adults and their  families. Being older has already forced physical and mental limitations on many individuals, and the prospect of prolonged rehabilitation can seem overwhelming.
• In most cases, your active lifestyle can be restored with an appropriate prosthetic device.

Phantom Pain - Phantom limb pain is the feeling that your amputated limb is still there. Virtually all amputees have phantom sensations to some degree; a much smaller percentage has phantom pain.

• Phantom pain, significant enough to cause a patient to seek medical care, occurs in approximately 5-10% of the amputee population.
• The pain varies from a continuous cramping, aching, and burning to an electric shock-like sensation. Stress, anxiety, fear or fatigue will usually increase the patient’s discomfort.  Some use acupuncture to complicated surgical procedures in an attempt to relieve this pain. 
• Psychological and environmental factors can play a major role in the genesis of pain behavior.
• Herbs, such as the Juniper Berry have helped some amputees control their phantom pain. Others have claimed vitamin “E” and “A” have also reduced or eliminated phantom pain. 
• It is important to recognize that you are not unusual if you experience some sensation.

Temporary Prosthesis - After the residual limb heals adequately, your doctor will write a prescription to get a temporary prosthesis.

• The temporary prosthesis is generally not cosmetically finished until final adjustments are made since the residual limb continues to decrease in size.
• Most times different prosthetic components will be used on a temporary prosthesis than will be used in a definitive prosthesis. So, the temporary unit will usually be heavier and bulkier than your final, definitive prosthesis.

Final Definitive Prosthesis - Several months after the residual limb has reached a stable size and shape, you will be evaluated for a long-term prosthesis, which will be more cosmetically finished than your temporary prosthesis. Fitting of this prosthesis will require numerous visits and will take a few weeks to complete.

• ”Definitive” prosthesis can be misleading. Unfortunately, no artificial limb is going to last the rest of your life.
• Depending on daily use and activity level, your prosthesis can last anywhere from two to five years because the limb changes over time.
• With children, the time frame is even shorter due to continuous physical growth.
• It is important to remember that a prosthesis is a mechanical device and may break down from time to time. It is a sophisticated tool to help restore function that might not otherwise be possible.
• Major fluctuations in weight or volume can also require adjustments to be made to  the socket.  Sometimes changes may be necessary on other parts of the prosthesis to ensure a proper fit.

You should plan on at least two appointments per year with your prosthetist to ensure a  solid fit and that your devise remains safe and functional.