How To Investigate Pros and Cons of Prosthetics
Prosthetic devices can mean a world of difference to an amputee who uses them. They help a person have a more normal and active life, enabling the individual to perform tasks as before.
If you are a candidate for a prosthetic limb, you realize that this is am important decision to make. Choosing the right prosthetic for you can mean the difference in being able to perform activities you otherwise may not be able to do with convenience and ease.
You need to weigh your options carefully before investing in a prosthetic device. Here’s how to investigate the pros and cons of prosthetics.
Assess your situation
What prosthetic part do you need? Is a device right for you? Do you feel you will benefit from using a prosthetic device? Will it help you feel more confident of your abilities and enable you to perform tasks with it? If you are still young and growing, do you feel ready to keep changing the device as your body changes? Can you afford it or does your insurance cover it? These are some very personal questions that need to be answered when considering the use of a device. Even if you consult with the experts, the final decision will be yours since you will be the one who will be affected by it.
Talk to your doctor
Discuss your options with your doctor. The specialist working with you should be able to tell you the benefits and difficulties associated with prosthetic device use.
He will also be the one to show you how to attach and use one. Ask your doctor to show you the various types. Some prosthetics are made to look as realistic as possible while others are more functional.
Talk to your physical therapist
It takes getting used to working with a prosthetic device. If you are considering getting one, discuss your concerns with your PT. he will be an excellent resource to talk to because he will likely be the one to assist you in training how to use one.
Talk to other amputees
Ask your doctor to refer you to other patients whom you can discuss your concerns with. When you’re at the rehabilitation center, approach someone who is in a similar situation as yourself.
Ask why they choose to have a prosthetic, or if it’s the other case, find out why they chose to go without one. You should get good feedback from these individuals since most people will be willing to share their experience of it.
Research online
Find out product reviews online. Go to the company website of the product you are considering and get an overview of the details of the device. See if you can find any complaints about the product use.
Take the time to research your options before deciding whether or not you will get a prosthetic or not. You may find that after weighing the pros and cons, you want to wait a bit longer before getting one, or perhaps never get one at all.
Some people may realize that they want one right away to be able to resume normal activities immediately. The choice is yours, but think about it carefully first.