Seeking information on prothetics for new book

[HisArpy]

I'm writing a new book and one of the characters has prosthetic limbs. I would like to correspond with someone who has knowledge of the care and feeding of prostheses and limbs after amputation.

Character is young and is outgrowing her prosthetics. I need info on how new ones are made and fitted. Things to look for like sores and such which indicate a need for replacement or refitting. I need information on how they are worn and put on. Any special names that people use (like these are my sticks and so on) or special terminology/words. Any special things that wearers need would be good to know too. Are the "C" shaped lower legs better than standard shaped ones for general use? Or vice versa? Why? What is the state of tech for motorized hands?

I don't need a lot of detail, I just don't want to say something in the book which is patently stupid.

PM's are fine as well as here if you feel more comfortable, but PM's can let me talk in more detail than on the open forum.

 

[Sean]

I'm writing a new book and one of the characters has prosthetic limbs. I would like to correspond with someone who has knowledge of the care and feeding of prostheses and limbs after amputation.

Character is young and is outgrowing her prosthetics. I need info on how new ones are made and fitted. Things to look for like sores and such which indicate a need for replacement or refitting. I need information on how they are worn and put on. Any special names that people use (like these are my sticks and so on) or special terminology/words. Any special things that wearers need would be good to know too. Are the "C" shaped lower legs better than standard shaped ones for general use? Or vice versa? Why? What is the state of tech for motorized hands?

I don't need a lot of detail, I just don't want to say something in the book which is patently stupid.

PM's are fine as well as here if you feel more comfortable, but PM's can let me talk in more detail than on the open forum.

I didn't know you had to feed prosthetics. Thanks, Tim!

 

[james_1957]

I didn't know you had to feed prosthetics. Thanks, Tim!

I realize you're conflicted, Sean.

You don't know if you're a drunk Irishman or a slobbering Englishman.

What I do know is you're a piece of fucking garbage.

 

[HisArpy]

Bumping this. There should be someone on the boards who either works in the medical industry or knows someone who can help.

I'm serious. This is for my new book.

 

[Ms_Ann]

Bumping this. There should be someone on the boards who either works in the medical industry or knows someone who can help.

I'm serious. This is for my new book.

I worked in a prosthetics facility during college. It's kinda like where medicine meets carpentry meets metal shop. I think that a lot of the people around that "industry" kinda have an amputation fetish. There's a lot of vacuforming of plaster molds and foam casting and rasping...smelly chemicals.

 

[Ms_Ann]

Or you could just ask Jennifer. She has a PHD in prosthetics.

 

[HisArpy]

Thanks Ann.

Anyone else who has information they'd like to share? Most of what I know I've gotten from you tube and web sites but there these sources don't provide much beyond basic information.