Prosthetic Foot Prosthetic Leg
A prosthetic foot prosthetic leg is an artificial limb that is used to correct a person’s lack of limb in cases such as illness or accident. According to the level of amputation, there are many prosthetic legs in different categories such as below-knee prosthesis, above-knee prosthesis and knee disartication. Patients whose limbs need to be amputated after illness or accident can compensate for this deficiency by using prosthetic equipment for the rest of their lives. You can find detailed information about these medical products, called prosthetic feet or legs, in our article.
What is Prosthetic Foot Prosthetic Leg?
Prosthetic legs are called prosthetic limbs that imitate the real feet of patients who have experienced amputation. They are medical devices that imitate the functionality and appearance of the real leg and enable patients to walk again after an accident. They are designed to mimic the functional and appearance characteristics of a healthy leg as best as possible. There are many different models of prosthetic feet in terms of appearance and usefulness.
Prosthetic Foot Prosthetic Leg Types
Prosthetic foot prosthetic leg types are divided into different types according to the location of the person’s amputated limb. While amputees can walk freely and unassisted using a leg prosthesis, some amputees need support such as a walker. In order to get the best possible efficiency from the prosthesis, there are some things to consider when choosing a prosthetic leg model. Types of prosthetic feet usually consist of:
- Below-knee prosthetic leg models
- Above-knee prosthetic leg models
- Knee disarticulation
- Silicone prosthetic foot models
Below Knee Prosthetic Foot Prosthetic Leg Types
Below knee prosthetic foot prosthetic leg types are put on the market by brands with the best technology in the manufacture of medical products in our country and in the world. Since these prostheses start below the knee, as the name suggests, they are produced for the use of amputee patients. The types of prosthetic legs below the knee are divided into different types:
- Active and passive vacuum prostheses
- Pin system and locked prostheses
- Soft socket prosthetic foot
Above Knee Prosthetic Foot Prosthetic Leg Types
Above knee prosthetic foot prosthetic leg types are produced to suit every need. It has the most suitable design for the use of patients who are amputated from the upper part of the knee. Just like below-knee prostheses, above-knee prostheses also have different types:
- Hydraulically articulated knee prostheses
- Over-the-knee prostheses with brake or lock joints
- Microprocessor knee joint prostheses (bionic prosthetic leg)
Knee Disarticulation Prosthesis
Knee disarticulation prosthesis types have the possibility of use for different knee joints. Experts should be consulted in the selection of these prostheses, which are specially produced for knee disarticulation in all kinds of knee joints. Amputee patients may prefer the knee disartication type in the selection of prosthetic legs, which are very similar to the functional and visual characteristics of the real leg.
Silicone Prosthetic Foot
Silicone prosthetic foot models have features to be used in harmony with prosthetic legs. Patients who have aesthetic concerns in the use of prosthetic legs may prefer a silicone prosthetic foot prosthetic leg to gain the advantage of comfortable use. Silicone prostheses are 95% similar to other organs in terms of design. Silicone prosthetic feet can also be produced individually and designed in the most similar way to the real foot of the patient.
Prosthetic Leg Models Price
Prosthetic leg models price are the costs faced by the patient as a result of amputation according to the use of prosthetic equipment. As with every medical product, the prices of prosthetic legs or prosthetic feet vary according to some criteria. Prosthesis prices, which are preferred as below the knee and above the knee, have a cost of at least 15 thousand TL. Prosthetic foot prosthetic leg prices can start from 15 thousand liras and go up to 760 thousand liras with bionic chip models. Each patient can choose a prosthetic leg according to their usage needs and budget.
When is the Prosthetic Foot Prosthetic Leg Fitted?
One of the most curious issues of patients who want to have prosthetic foot prosthetic legs is the use of prostheses. Amputee patients who need prosthetic feet can get prosthetic feet approximately 2-3 months after the necessary measurements are taken. The quicker the postoperative recovery period of the patients, the easier it is to use the prosthetic leg. Among the criteria that determine the patient’s postoperative recovery process are the following:
- Physical characteristics of the patient
- Bandaging of the patient
- Regular exercise of the patient
Is it Possible to Walk Immediately With a Prosthetic Leg?
Walking with a prosthetic foot prosthetic leg is not as painful as it seems. Some amputees are able to move more comfortably without crutches and walking aids using a prosthetic leg. If the patients follow the doctor’s advice and do their exercises regularly after the surgery, they can start walking with a prosthetic leg in a short time. In the process of walking with a prosthetic leg, attention should be paid to the following stages:
- The patient’s leg measurements are taken and temporary socket construction is started.
- The temporary socket made in a short time is applied to the patient and the compliance of the stump to the prosthetic leg is monitored for a maximum of 1 week.
- If the socket is hitting and hurting the patient, this problem is eliminated.
- After all the problems related to the socket are eliminated, a permanent socket is produced from carbon fiber material.
- These procedures last between one week and 20 days, depending on the patient’s activity status.
Why Is Prosthetic Leg Made?
Companies that manufacture prosthetic foot prosthetic legs produce parts from materials that are used in the medical sector and are not harmful to human health. The most commonly used material in the manufacture of prosthetic feet is carbon fiber. Carbon fiber prosthesis, which is both lighter and more durable than other metals, is often preferred for legs. Apart from this, there are models made of different materials in the types of prosthetic legs.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Prosthetic Leg
Some criteria must be taken into account when choosing a prosthetic foot prosthetic leg. It is important to pay attention to the following in order to get the best possible efficiency from the prosthesis:
- Is there enough soft tissue in the stump end area?
- Is there a bony prominence at the stump end?
- How is the skin condition on the limb?
- Is there painful tenderness in and around the stump tip?
- How healthy is your other leg?
- The patient’s level of mobility before surgery
- Patient’s level of mobility
- Reasons to be an amputee
How Much is SGK Prosthetic Leg Payment?
SSI prosthetic leg payments vary every year at the determined rate. According to the legislation in 2023, it is seen that the payments differ according to the type of prosthetic leg. The amount covered by SGK in the treatment of prosthetic legs in the new year is as follows:
- The payment is between 5 thousand 500 TL and 12 thousand TL for the below-knee prosthesis.
- A payment is made between 7 thousand 500 TL and 44 thousand TL for the above-knee prosthesis.
- SSI deducts 20 percent from the insured employee and 10 percent from the retired employee.
The amount of coverage of the state in foot prosthesis varies according to certain conditions. For insured patients, the sample calculation for the prosthetic leg payment of SSI is as follows: When the patient wants to buy a prosthetic leg below the knee worth 15 thousand TL, SGK pays 12 thousand TL. Since the patient is insured, a payment of 9 thousand 600 TL is determined with the possibility of 20 percent deduction. Thus, the patient can start using a prosthetic leg worth 15 thousand TL by paying only 5 thousand 400 TL.
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Wikipedia: Prosthesis