Expert Prosthetic Evaluations and Fittings

• Enjoy an active life
• Pre-surgical consultations
• Circle of Support- Amputee peer counseling
• Thorough evaluation process
• Customized fitting ensures proper fit
• High-level, above-knee fittings
• Accelerated fittings for long-distance clients
• Individualized gait analysis and refinement
• State-of-the-art prosthetics
• Timely on-site fabrication
• Natural-looking cosmetic covers
• Ongoing care and maintenance
• Clients in action
• Client information

"Everyone at Next Step that I have met or worked with has been so kind, patient, helpful and so very good at what they do that I can't compliment or thank them enough. Congratulations to all of you for the environment you have created, how well you take care of people and the integrity and mastery so evident in your work. I could not have been better served or more pleased."
Diane Mertz , age 61
Below-knee amputee

Enjoy an active life
Losing a limb does not mean you need to alter your lifestyle. We have years of experience in helping amputees achieve and exceed their goals for physical activity, from walking comfortably to participating in a very active lifestyle.

Our clients include active amputees of all ages, including a number of world-class athletes. We work individually with all of our clients to help them reach their lifestyle goals.

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Pre-surgical consultations
If you are faced with the possibility of losing a limb, we invite you to come meet with us to learn about our philosophy, gather information and assess your options. Tour our facility to see our full range of services in action, including our walking evaluation room with diagnostic video equipment, types of prostheses, fabrication lab, library of product information and client videos. We encourage you to visit other prosthetic companies, too, so you can see the difference and make an informed decision.

Next Step clinicians also provide consultation services to surgeons prior to amputation surgery to help determine the optimal residual limb length for a properly fitting prosthesis.

Our consultations are comprehensive, informative and provided at no cost.

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Circle of Support- Amputee peer counseling
Next Step is a resource for those who have lost a limb or will be undergoing amputation. With three amputees on staff and a selection of clients of varying ages and level of amputation who act as peer counselors, we offer one-on-one visitations and discussions about amputation and life with a prosthesis.

Thorough evaluation process
Following amputation — or even before the procedure — our evaluation process includes compiling your detailed medical history, evaluating your residual limb, taking measurements and, most important of all, listening to you about the activities you want to pursue. The Next Step team of trained and certified prosthetists will discuss your prosthetic options with you and work together to design a prosthesis that will best fit your lifestyle and goals.

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Customized fitting ensures proper fit
While all prosthetists have access to the same resources, the results can vary. Next Step prosthetists are well known for successfully fitting a wide range of amputees, especially those who have not previously received a comfortable fit.

Working from the evaluation plan, our team takes you through a customized fitting process, employing a casting process and specialized fitting techniques that are unique in the prosthetics industry. We utilize clear diagnostic sockets to help achieve a properly fitting prosthesis. By spending additional time in the diagnostic process, fitting issues are minimized during fabrication.

We also design prosthetic sockets that encourage muscle growth (hypertrophy) in your residual limb, and provide training in a multi-stage process for building residual muscles. Hypertrophy is critical to achieving proper gait, traversing all types of terrain and participating in high-level activities.

Fitting appointments are tailored to meet each client's individual needs, from several brief appointments over a few weeks to all-day fitting sessions, if preferred.

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High-level, above-knee fittings
Next Step is nationally recognized as one of the country's top facilities for fitting high-level, above-knee amputees, including those with hip disarticulations and hemi-pelvectomies. Clinical Director Peter Couture is a highly respected specialist in fitting amputees with these conditions.
www.hphdhelp.org
www.abovekneeamputee.com

Accelerated fittings for long-distance clients
Because of our track record in successfully fitting amputees, clients seek us out from around the world. Our accelerated fitting process for clients who travel long distances allows us to fit a prosthesis in only 2 to 3 days, with additional time needed for adjustments.

Our special services for out-of-town clients include providing assistance in making travel arrangements and finding hotel accommodations.

Individualized gait analysis and refinement
Proper gait is based on timing and symmetry. Gait analysis and instruction that helps you walk more smoothly and confidently is one of our specialties. We break gait down into segments, instructing you on correct mechanics, posture and firing of your muscles. By videotaping you during the process, we can show you how to make adjustments to achieve a smooth, fluid gait.

State-of-the-art prosthetics
As a company that is sought out to test the latest advances in prosthetics, we are at the forefront of emerging technologies in the industry. Our clients often beta-test the newest prosthetic technologies and materials.

Timely on-site fabrication
We fabricate all prosthetics on site, allowing us to provide fast turnaround and a high level of quality control. Our highly trained technicians utilize the latest techniques in crafting prosthetics in our state-of-the-art lab and continually evaluate processes to make improvements in the delivery of prosthetic devices.

With on-site fabrication, our clinicians can show the technicians the exact adjustments needed. You can also be involved in the details of the fitting process, and cosmetic finishing and repairs can be completed while you wait.

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Natural-looking cosmetic covers
Because of our reputation for superior fitting and quality, Next Step has been selected by Dorset Orthopaedic to offer an affordable and extremely lifelike cosmesis. This cosmesis is color-matched to surrounding skin tissue and sculpted to a client's specific wishes. The durable silicone surface feels and looks realistic, with the foot, individual toes, nail color, freckles and hair matched as closely as possible to the contralateral limb. High definition cosmeses are also available.

Ongoing care and maintenance
Following a prosthetic fitting, a visit for follow-up care may be necessary to recheck fit, function and range of motion. If you have any problems with the fit or function of your prosthesis, please call us immediately as waiting may make the situation more difficult to resolve.

We recommend you visually check your prosthesis daily for proper function and check your limb for redness or rash. Gaining or losing weight can affect how well your prosthesis fits and may require an evaluation by your prosthetist. It is important to us that your prosthesis fits properly and comfortably so you wear it throughout the day.

A service appointment is scheduled approximately every six months and can extend the life of your prosthesis and preserve your investment.

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Clients in action
To learn more about some of our clients and how we have been able to help them reach their lifestyle goals, check out our Client Stories.

Client information
Download our privacy policy, orthotic or prosthetic instruction sheets and other forms from our Client Information area.

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© 2004 Next Step Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc. All Rights Reserved