Consultation

 Our commitment to you

The team at The London Prosthetics Centre is committed to providing the best possible and most appropriate service for you.  You will be treated by a network of professionals at every stage of your treatment so you can confidently and comfortably enjoy life.  

Initial referrals to the London Prosthetic Centre can be made by patients, families, physicians, therapists, insurance providers, case managers, government bodies and others.

Excellent cooperation between our clients and our prosthetists is absolutely necessary for a successful outcome. Our prosthetists aim to give you

"Undivided Care and Attention"

• We Listen to your needs
• We do our best to address all your prosthetic and orthotic needs
• We will try to have all your questions answered
• We will explain each step of the process to you
• We will discuss your condition, lifestyle, vocation, hobbies, future plans, goals and expectations
• We will try to have your anxiety level reduced
• We will address your rehabilitation and/or physical therapy
• We will liaise between yourselves and your healthcare practitioners
• We will conduct a thorough evaluation of your residual limb, strength and range of motion

Try to wear or bring clothing that allows access to your residual limb, such as shorts, a skirt, short-sleeved top or sleeveless top. 

Custom-made prosthetics is a highly complicated process. Measurements and molds are necessary and offer us the basis for your custom work.

Fitting

It can take several fittings to produce a well-fitting, well-functioning artificial limb. Your prosthetist will normally focus on the fit of the socket first. A clear plastic test socket may be fit so that the prosthetist can actually see where the socket fits well and where modifications are needed. Your prosthetist will ask for your feedback regarding comfort and fit.
Your prosthetist will eventually attach your components to this test socket to ensure that everything is in the proper position.  After fitting is complete, the device will be kept for final fabrication.

It will normally take approximately one week between the final fitting and delivery appointments.

Delivery of Your Device

Upon receiving your finished prosthesis, your prosthetist will make sure that you know how to operate all of the features of the prosthesis and will give you information about the care and maintenance required for your device.

Follow-Up Care

Once your device is complete, your orthotist or prosthetist will set up a free of charge recheck appointment within 3 months to monitor the fit and function of your device.  We want to be sure that your prosthesis or orthosis continues to fit comfortably and that it remains in good mechanical condition. If we find anatomical changes (body size or volume) or changes in your functional ability, we will adjust the device and/or recommend changes to the device.

We recommend that you return at least every six months for follow-up care, or sooner if you notice changes in your weight or activity level. Your clinician will let you know if your device requires more frequent follow-up care or specific maintenance. 

Initially, after receiving your final prosthesis, some amputees may return to their prosthetist frequently for adjustments. After few months, the need for follow-up visits typically reduces. 

 Follow-up is a lifelong activity

It is important to allow your limb to accommodate to your new prosthesis. A gradual increase in your wearing time can make the difference between a comfortable and painful transition.

Your residual limb volume may reduce during the first few weeks of wearing a new prothesis, especially if this is your first prosthesis.

Check your skin every time you take off your prosthesis:

• With your eyes and your hands (especially if you have altered sensation from a neuropathy, poor circulation, or diabetes) to avoid blisters and skin damage.
• If your skin is broken, do not wear the prosthesis until it is completely healed.

Many prosthetic users also find it necessary to add or change socks throughout the day. This is common.

Cost

Prosthetic care can be expensive and every amputee or their providers are concerned about the cost. It’s difficult to tell someone how much their prosthesis is going to cost without an in-person evaluation. Once the initial free of charge assessment is done, we will then be able to provide you with an itemized cost or your interventions. We will also advise you on future cost and warranties.

We do not charge our amputee clients for follow-up visits to our centre in the first 6 months following delivery of their prosthesis. We aim to establish a life time relationship with our clients and we want to make sure that they are satisfied with their prescribed devices.

If you are travelling from abroad or from a distance in the UK, we will be happy to give some idea of costings over the phone or by email.

We accept NHS Referrals to our Centre. Few of our amputee clients are funded by the NHS for their prosthetic limbs to attend our centre. To be eligible for NHS funding to attend our centre privately, you would need to discuss your individual case with either your GP, Rehabilitation Consultant or directly with your Primary Care Trust.

We do not charge VAT if you are a Foreign National or  registered disabled in the UK.

We accept credit card, bank transfer or cheque payments.