FAQs
Contact our office for a presurgical consultation information packet at no charge. Call 800-879-2276
Gathering information about your level of physical fitness and health, the amputation level, the demands you place on the prosthesis and your future goals are just a few of the considerations that will help us to determine what type of prosthesis would be most appropriate for you.
A temporary prosthesis is used for up to a year in situations where you are likely to experience volume loss/shrinkage resulting in a very loose fitting socket. A definitive prosthesis could last years due to minimal changes in your residual limb.
On average, it can take four to six weeks from the time evaluated you are evaluated to the time that you are fit with a prosthesis, depending upon what prosthesis you choose.
The prosthetist’s goals are to ensure that the prostheses that they deliver to patients fit and function properly which usually involves some training. However, learning how to walk again and/or achieve functional goals while wearing the prosthesis is where physical therapy can be of great benefit.
See your prosthetist every six months or sooner:
- If the prosthetic is not functioning or fitting properly
- Your activity level has changed
- If you have had a weight gain/loss
A physical therapist can help you to wear and use your prosthesis while improving strength, balance and coordination. We can help you to find this health professional if you wish.
This is an individual who has experienced limb loss and can provide personal insights to assist with questions you may have. They are a good source of information and we can recommend one for you upon request.
Typically, after getting your strength back and learning to walk with a prosthesis, you should be able to return to your normal activities.
In fact, the anatomical amputated leg usually weighs more. The sense that the prosthetic device is “heavy” is more related to the need to adjust to wearing the device. Wearing the prosthesis loosely and generalized weakness can also create a perception that the device is heavy.
Most physical aids such as prostheses, typically are not meant to be worn around the clock. If you have difficulty in getting to the bathroom during the night without putting on your device, it may be helpful to keep a walker, wheelchair or other assistive equipment near your bed to help you safely reach the restroom.
Yes. In order to make a prosthesis look more like a “real” leg, foam can be used to cover the structural components and provide a more anatomical shape.
While there are some exceptions, most prosthetic devices are not waterproof and it can be harmful to wear them against the skin for a prolonged period of time when they are wet. Your device will usually not be harmed by slight exposure, such as walking briefly through the rain but should not be worn while swimming or bathing unless you have been specifically directed to do so. If your device becomes wet, it should be removed and dried before putting it back on. If a waterproof device is something that is necessary or helpful for your lifestyle, please discuss it with your clinician at your appointment that can help address those needs.
Some devices can be worn while driving but others may interfere with your ability to operate the controls of the vehicle or interfere with your ability to see in all directions for safe driving. Please exercise caution in determining if you can safely operate a motor vehicle. Contact the DMV to see what is required, if anything, for you to do so legally and safely.
We cannot make any guarantees about how security in public areas will handle any of these medical devices. Many prosthetics contain metal parts that will be recognized by scanners. We recommend talking with the security professional conducting the screening about your device and your needs. If you can safely remove the device to pass through screening, it may be the easiest solution but do not risk injury or remove your device if you are not comfortable doing so, or if it is against your medical professional’s advice.
Insurance companies establish the pricing for all of the components that comprise a prosthesis. This is called the Fee Schedule and accounts not only for the specific component but also the practitioner’s time in fabricating, fitting, and/or adjusting the component or components properly.
Many insurance companies now offer a variety of “plans/policies” to let patients select the one that best suits your needs. It is a good idea for you to refer to your own policy to see if prosthetic services are covered and the specifics of your health plan.
Bio Dynamic Technologies accepts many insurances. Call us and we will conduct the research to let you know what your coverage will be.
Yes. We will work with you to find the best treatment plan for your budget.
Absolutely. We work with many different workers’ comp and auto/no fault insurance policies.
All prosthetics that we provide are covered by warranty but the length of time varies with each device. Our office staff can give you more detailed information about the warranty that applies to your specific item.
Many custom-made devices can be repaired or refurbished but it depends upon the exact nature of the problem.
Our certified orthotists and/or certified orthotic fitter will carefully review your doctor’s prescription for the brace prescribed. You may choose to visit our offices located in Manhattan, East Rutherford, NJ or Greenwich, CT for the fitting and explanation of its proper use. Depending on your insurance plan coverage, all or part of the cost of the brace may be paid by your plan. You will be responsible for any amount not covered by your policy, which our customer service agent will review with you in advance.
There a number of benefits for using this brace, among them are that they dramatically reduce bone-on-bone friction, relieve long-term pain and postpone or eliminate the need for surgery. In addition, it reduces your need for medication and can be worn with comfort all day. The brace’s low profile also allows the patient to wear the brace under slacks.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of joint pain, affecting the knees, hips, back and feet of over 20 million Americans. A joint’s cartilage (the tough, smooth material at the end of bones) wears away over time. When this happens, the edges of the bones rub together, causing the joint to feel stiff and sore.
When cartilage wears away at the knee, the joint becomes “compacted” as the ends of the thigh bone and shin bone rub together. Usually, the compaction occurs on either the inside (medial) part of the leg or outside (lateral); sometimes both sides are compacted.
Braces can help nearly anyone who experiences mild to severe knee OA and are available in a variety of off-the-shelf models or custom fitted designs for any size leg.
The degeneration of knee cartilage makes the lower leg bend either inward or outward, resulting in compaction (bone-on-bone friction). Using 3-point leverage, an OA brace applies gentle pressureto the side of the knee, helping to reduce pain and restore mobility.
No, but it may help postpone it. A good OA knee brace will help relieve the pain, but it will not repair the damaged joint. In mild to moderate cases, using a brace may allow you to postpone surgery and prolong the intervals between knee replacements. Keep in mind that artificial knees usually last only 10 to 15 years before they need replacement.
No. In fact, an OA knee brace will make physical therapy more effective since the ability to exercise is greatly improved. With the help of your physical therapist or orthotist, the brace can help relieve pain as you strengthen muscles around your knee joint.
In most cases, yes. Patients who use a brace usually have been able to reduce dependence on pain and anti-inflammatory medications. Some anti-inflammatory drugs may cause serious side affects or allergic reactions. Consult your doctor before changing any prescribed medication regimen.
Yes. Some doctors inject drugs such as corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid directly into the joint for short term relief. However, these treatments can be very expensive, the length of relief varies greatly from patient to patient and many people report no reduction of pain. If injections are chosen, an OA brace may enhance and prolong the effects.
CPM is prescribed by physicians after surgery on joints or trauma to help avoid joint stiffness in knees, elbows, shoulders and the joints of the hand. CPM allows every patient to rehab affected limbs or joints through a safe, precise and slow-moving Range of Motion.
CPM’s are widely considered a medical necessity by the vast majority of insurance plans and carriers. We will make every effort on your behalf to secure the necessary pre-authorization from your insurance company required for this equipment. We will then contact you to inform you regarding the extent of your coverage.
When your prescription is received by our office, our customer service representative will contact you to begin the process of reviewing your insurance coverage and when the equipment is needed. Next one of our professionally trained and experienced Field Service Technicians will contact you to arrange how and when you will receive your CPM or Game Changer device. Once delivered you will receive detailed instructions on its proper use and how to arrange for return to our office.
Just contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-879-2276 and inform them that the equipment is ready to be picked up and we will do so.
After an injury or surgery, your body initiates a biological response to try and remove or heal damaged cells. This response is called inflammation, which is a defense mechanism in the body. Pain and swelling are the uncomfortable symptoms of inflammation, but the good news is that they show that the body is trying to heal itself. Although inflammation is a good indicator of the start of the healing process, it can persist longer than needed and consequently cause more harm than benefit. 1,2,3 That’s where cold therapy comes into play. Applying ice, cold gel packs, a motorized cold therapy system or a motorized cold and compression system can help reduce inflammation, pain, stiffness and swelling and help you recover more quickly. These cold therapy systems have also been shown to reduce the need for narcotic pain medications that can be addictive. This is an important benefit in the midst of the rising opioid crisis in the United States.
- Decreased pain
- Decreased swelling and inflammation
- Decreased narcotic usage
- Better pain control
- Greater likelihood of independence from narcotic use
- Improved range of motion during post-op recovery
- Improved post-operative recovery
- May contribute to better short-term clinical outcomes
Cold therapy and cold and compression systems are typically not covered by insurance. The cost of these systems is an investment in recovery.
Only use cold therapy products as prescribed by a healthcare provider. The healthcare provider will provide instructions on frequency, compression level, temperature level, duration of use, lengths of breaks between uses, how and when to inspect the skin and the total length of treatment.
- After surgery application: arthroscopic and reconstructive procedures (ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL, Meniscus), general surgery, plastic surgery
- After trauma or injury
- Chronic pain including Osteoarthritis
- Physical therapy
Ask your doctor about cold therapy risks. Any cold therapy product can cause serious injury if improperly used. Please ensure you have received proper instructions from your doctor and understand the risk before using any cold therapy device or gel pack. Only use cold therapy products as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Doctors may prescribe Bone Growth Therapy, commonly known as bone growth stimulation, for patients who are experiencing bone healing complications or exhibit risk factors that can impede healing. If you are concerned that your fracture or spinal fusion is not healing or if you have reason to believe that you have a risk factor that will make it difficult for you to heal, it is important to speak with your doctor, who can diagnose your condition and prescribe treatment.
Physicians may prescribe a bone growth therapy device when a patient has poor bone healing. Common bone healing risk factors include:
- Smoking/tobacco use.
- Diabetes.
- Obesity.
- Multilevel fusions.
- Medication that depletes bone.
- Spondylolisthesis (Grade 2+).
- Allograft (bone graft) use.
The healing process itself determines the duration of the treatment, and your physician will closely monitor your progress. Your individual risk factors (such as smoking, multi-level fusion, and graft type) and your compliance in wearing the device will factor into the duration of your treatment. To promote your healing, it is very important that you wear the bone growth therapy device daily as prescribed. Your doctor may require that you bring your unit in on your follow-up visits to check your compliance. Most patients wear the device between three and nine months.
Even if an item is considered medically necessary and, therefore, covered by insurance, some health insurers require you to pay a portion of the cost. These costs could include a deductible, co-payment or other co-insurance amount. For Medicare patients, the co-insurance amount for a bone growth stimulator is generally 20% of the Medicare allowable amount. For patients with other health insurance, the co-insurance amount varies by insurer.
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