How doctors choose bone stim candidates.
Accion Rehab has aligned with Orthofix to provide the highest quality bone growth stimulators. There is extensive research that reveals the effectiveness of the stimulators. They can be used on most people but we go by the recommendation of Orthofix that using a bone growth stimulator is not recommended if you use a pacemaker or if you are pregnant. Children who are not skeletally mature are also not bone growth stimulator candidates
Why pediatric care is different than adult care
Children are very adaptive. They put up with more pain and contact issues than adults because they either do not want to slow down or they do not want to cause their parents more concerns. We as caregivers have to be more vigilant with children about correct fitting of pediatric braces and prosthetics.
Adults challenge the limits of fabricated products more than children do. Where children will go with whatever is offered them, adults are much more discriminating with size, weight, bulk and impedance to independence. We as caregivers not only consider how a brace or prosthesis fits but also how it fits into the lifestyle of the child or adult for whom we provide service.
5 most important questions to ask when choosing a orthotist
What are your credentials?
There is one national Certification Board: American Board for Certification and some states provide State licensure of which Texas is one of those states.
How long have you practiced in this area?
Tt is important to be receiving service from a clinic well established in the community. The more established clinics will have standards of excellence that are monitored by licensing boards.
Why did you get into this line of work?
An orthotist's ability to be a successful provider is directly related to the orthotist's motivating factors.
What types of continuing education are you required to complete? And why?
Orthotists and prosthetists are required by law to complete educational courses on a regular basis to keep up with advancing technology
What has been your experience working with people with my condition/injury?
You want an orthotist that has experience with your individual needs. Most orthotists are good problem solvers and pull from many resources to provide service.
Here's why you need to keep your follow up appointments.
With any of the services provided by Accion Rehab there is a need to visit regularly to ensure the products integrity. Our specialist can see possible fitting problems or damage to the product long before someone without critical training can see them.
Insurance providers are now requiring documentation of follow up as a cost containment action. If you do not keep follow up appointments then your insurance provider may deny continued service.
5 most important questions to ask when choosing a prosthetist
Are you certified? Through which organization?
There is one national Certification Board: American Board for Certification and some states provide State licensure of which Texas is one of those states.
How many patients with a [insert your amputation level] amputation have you fit?
The answer should give you an idea of the amount of experience offered for your needs.
What’s the age range and activity of your patients?
A prosthtist that only sees older patients will not know the needs of childrens growth or high competion athletics. A prsothrtis that does see only younger population may not be concerned with ease of use or complicated setups that frustrate older patients.
On average, how many patients do you work with per year?
Most prosthetists know the caseload they manage each year. Under 50 per year is acceptable in a small community. Over 200 may mean that the prostetist might not see all the details you need considered.
Do you see taking care of prosthetic needs as a team approach where I as the patient, my doctor,my therapist and you as my prosthetist work together?
Gettng input from all of the caregivers involved can greatly add to your success