Looking for a new prosthetist South Shore MA ???

[lisa1967]

Hi All,

My stepdad Gary has been a Right AKA since Jan. 2017. He went with the prosthetist that the surgeon recommended. I've never been impressed by the guy.  He's certainly nice enough, but he is flighty and forgetful. There's little communication as he's impossible to get a hold of. 

There have several times we've been disappointed in his lack of availability.  Enough to warrant trying to find another and meet with him. 

Can anyone recommend a good prosthetist in the South Shore area in MA.  ??  Or suggest any tips on what to ask while interviewing a potential new person ??

Thank you in advance for any help.

Lisa

[cherylm]

Hi, Lisa -

I'm clear across the country from you, so no personal recommendations...but now that your stepdad has a couple of years of this under his belt you're going to be in a better position to intelligently question potential prosthetists. First off, ask about general qualifications: Has the prosthetist been certified? Do that have extensive experience fitting AKAs? Do they have decent relationships with your stepdad's doctors? What is their office staff like? Do they seem well-organized? Can they arrange for you to meet another of their AKAs and talk to them about their experiences?

Then you need to ask about the "personal" items...things that are particularly important to you and Gary. Like just how easy is it to get hold of the prosthetist in an emergency? How long is the average wait when trying to get an appointment? Does this person spend most of their time in the office, or do they travel? Do they have an answering service for evenings and weekends? You are hiring this person...they should work in a way that fits into your schedule. And, beyond all that, they need to be someone you and Gary BOTH feel comfortable talking to, asking questions of, and working with.

Good luck on year search...a good prosthetist can be a great person in an amp's life!

[lisa1967]

Thank you so much for your reply. I had a misprint though. He lost his leg Jan 2017, got his starter leg in July, and just got his final leg about a month ago.
So, he's still pretty new, but in the beginning we didn't know what to ask or expect in a prosthetist. You're right though, now we have a better idea. Your questions to ask are very helpful.
We both appreciate the time you took to help us.
Have a great day.
Lisa

[snowyh]

Have you asked your dad's surgeon to recommend a prosthetist?