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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Clients
page.
|
Active Step
