Role of a prosthetist ? Who’s a Prosthetist?
The prosthetist is a clinician trained to fit prostheses (artificial limbs) to people who have had amputations. Prosthetists have to be creative and able to use many different approaches because no two amputees are alike.
The relationship between a prosthetist and an amputee changes over time. The relationship between the recent amputee and the prosthetist is a close one, with many visits taking place within the fi rst months. Unlike the relationship between an amputee and a physical therapist, which typically is intense but short, the relationship between the amputee and the prosthetist can last a lifetime. Once the residual limb has matured
The skills of the prosthetist should match the needs of the amputee. For example, a prosthetist that spends most of his or her time working with below-knee amputees may not be a good choice for a patient with a complicated above-knee amputation. The personality of the prosthetist is also extremely important.
The amputee should feel comfortable communicating with the prosthetist. If the amputee needs a lot of personal attention, the prosthetist should be willing and able to provide that kind of care. The prosthetist and the amputee will form one of the longest-lasting relationships in clinical care and as a result, the amputee and the prosthetist should be in tune with one another to ensure proper appropriate prosthetic care.
An amputee should interview several prosthetists, discussing their plans and goals, to find the right fit both in skill and personality. An amputee may change prosthetists several times during the course of their life of care in order to find one which best suits their interests, needs, and quality of care. The relationship between an amputee and a prosthetist can often be lifelong, whereas an amputee and a physical therapist may only be together for a brief, but intense period of time during the rehabilitation process.
the visits become less frequent, perhaps less than once a year or only when a problem needs to be addressed or a change in components is required.