AK-K1 -----RESPONSES

AK-K1 -----RESPONSES

John Smith

5/19/2007

Below are the responses, I received


Thanks very much your responses. It did help me in my decision making.


ORIGINAL POST

Dear List Members

I have a trans femoral amputee, who is paraplegic. Doctor has prescribed a
prosthesis for transfer as well as for cosmetic

Does medicare reimburse for such a prosthesis?

Would appreciate your input

John CP
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RESPONSES:


Medicare would consider the patient non-ambulatory and they will not pay for
prosthesis for a non ambulatory patient



I have a hard time believing that an AK prosthesis would help anyone
transfer, We don't do it at the VA in Houston, where function is the
prime consideration.
If someone thinks otherwise, I would like to hear the reasons why they
think it would work, and what kind of knee would you use?



The prosthesis would be cosmetic at very best as a paraplegic person could
not use it for transfer. It would get in the way during transfers and not be
used. I would sell the person some cosmetic foam covering to fill the
trousers and leave it alone at that. My guess it that the patient really
does not want this or has some misconception about it (like somehow he will
be able to walk or stand?) and the doctor is trying to make someone happy.
But good luck,



If anyone tries to tell you an AK prosthesis aids in transfers, they are
sadly mistaken. AK prostheses are more in the way of transfers than
anything else. Even in cases where they are working on stand-pivot
transfers, an AK prosthesis is nothing but a hinderance. Sliding board
transfers, forget it...the socket stags on things or rotates..just makes the
task more difficult. I've even worked w/a fella during my PTA days were
they tried to utilize a lock knee prosthesis--no go. It gets tangled up
w/sound side leg, the wheelchair, the assistant's legs &/or w/the pt wt
bearing thru the lock knee & pivoting, the socket rotates on the limb...then
the pt sits & it looks like crap, hurts or both. Just not a happy scene
Cosmesis is one thing; functional transfers utilizing an AK prosthesis is
not an option.

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This is just what I understand, they pay for one every 5 years, now I hope
others will have input, I too would like to know this..



will pay for transfer prosthessis, will not cover cosmesis.