Replies on Donation of a C-Leg
Jeff Ropp CP
Description
Collection
Title:
Replies on Donation of a C-Leg
Creator:
Jeff Ropp CP
Text:
Dear Fellow Practitioners,
I want to thank all of you who sent me a reply for what to do with a C-Leg
in a donation process. I have forwarded these to his widow and she is deciding
on what course of action she would like to take. It has been very
interesting as to the replies and I can see a lot of good uses for the units, other
than sitting in someone’s closet gathering dust, helping someone that can truly
use a knee of this caliber is a wonderful thing. I hope that if anyone else
gets the chance to do so.
Jeff Ropp, C.P.
Original Post:
I have a patient that has passed away and his widow now has a C-Leg that she
would like to have go to a good cause or fit on a local patient that cannot
afford it. It still has one year on the warranty and needs its 2 year check
up. I said that I would find out what may be the best course to follow in
doing so. I am sure this happens occasionally and am wondering what you might
recommend or have come up with in this situation. I know that there are problems
with the many issues of used componentry and such, especially with this high
dollar item. I will post the replies you send, unless you wish otherwise.
Replies:
Many suggested that I refurbish the unit and use it as a loaner,
demonstration model and a unit used to justify the need for a C-Leg.
I have had a few people that need the C-leg and sent personal information.
For the obvious reasons I am not forwarding this on, but to let people know
that there are situations that amputees can use these, even if they are in or
out of warranty and used.
A friend of mine also sent me this reminding me of some of our limitations
that we should be aware of:
1st Otto Bock does not warranty a C-leg to anyone except the
original owner. Thus the 3 year warranty is now void.
2nd The C-leg actually belongs to the Insurance Company who paid
the Bill.
3rd Prosthetic Components are considered Medical Equipment, which
can not be reused on other patients, even if donated.
4th Some facilities are buying C-legs on E-bay. Using them as
loaners or demo legs. Otto Bock loaners are not readily
available and repair turn-around can be 6 to 8 weeks...
Plus, once repaired, if you can't get the patient in quickly,
Otto Bock can charge you $100 per day for delayed return of
of their loaner C-Leg.
There are several non-profit organizations that can benefit from them, I am
listing some that I have found out about, in case anyone else has a similar
situation and would like to help these groups as well.
Eastern Michigan University
Robert L. Rhodes, MPA, CO
Director, Orthotics and Prosthetics Programs
319-Q Porter Bldg.
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
734.487.7120 x2724
West Texas Rehab
www.WestTexasRehab.org
Shelli Hale, CPO
3001 S. Jackson
San Angelo, TX 76904
Helping Hand
ASSOCIATION HORIZON DES HANDICAPES
Range of Motion Project
_www.rompglobal.org_ ( <URL Redacted>)
Eric Neufeld
Range of Motion Project, NFP
President
Shriners Hospitals for Children
Edward A. Skewes CPO
Director Orthotic and Prosthetic Department
Shriners Hospitals for Children
950 W. Faris Road
Greenville, SC. 29605
(864) 255 - 7951 ext. 7112
Limbs of love
Joe Sansone
C.E.O.
TMC Orthopedic
The Amputee Center
(713) 669-1800
_www.tmcortho.com_ ( <URL Redacted>)
limbsoflove.com
I want to thank all of you who sent me a reply for what to do with a C-Leg
in a donation process. I have forwarded these to his widow and she is deciding
on what course of action she would like to take. It has been very
interesting as to the replies and I can see a lot of good uses for the units, other
than sitting in someone’s closet gathering dust, helping someone that can truly
use a knee of this caliber is a wonderful thing. I hope that if anyone else
gets the chance to do so.
Jeff Ropp, C.P.
Original Post:
I have a patient that has passed away and his widow now has a C-Leg that she
would like to have go to a good cause or fit on a local patient that cannot
afford it. It still has one year on the warranty and needs its 2 year check
up. I said that I would find out what may be the best course to follow in
doing so. I am sure this happens occasionally and am wondering what you might
recommend or have come up with in this situation. I know that there are problems
with the many issues of used componentry and such, especially with this high
dollar item. I will post the replies you send, unless you wish otherwise.
Replies:
Many suggested that I refurbish the unit and use it as a loaner,
demonstration model and a unit used to justify the need for a C-Leg.
I have had a few people that need the C-leg and sent personal information.
For the obvious reasons I am not forwarding this on, but to let people know
that there are situations that amputees can use these, even if they are in or
out of warranty and used.
A friend of mine also sent me this reminding me of some of our limitations
that we should be aware of:
1st Otto Bock does not warranty a C-leg to anyone except the
original owner. Thus the 3 year warranty is now void.
2nd The C-leg actually belongs to the Insurance Company who paid
the Bill.
3rd Prosthetic Components are considered Medical Equipment, which
can not be reused on other patients, even if donated.
4th Some facilities are buying C-legs on E-bay. Using them as
loaners or demo legs. Otto Bock loaners are not readily
available and repair turn-around can be 6 to 8 weeks...
Plus, once repaired, if you can't get the patient in quickly,
Otto Bock can charge you $100 per day for delayed return of
of their loaner C-Leg.
There are several non-profit organizations that can benefit from them, I am
listing some that I have found out about, in case anyone else has a similar
situation and would like to help these groups as well.
Eastern Michigan University
Robert L. Rhodes, MPA, CO
Director, Orthotics and Prosthetics Programs
319-Q Porter Bldg.
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
734.487.7120 x2724
West Texas Rehab
www.WestTexasRehab.org
Shelli Hale, CPO
3001 S. Jackson
San Angelo, TX 76904
Helping Hand
ASSOCIATION HORIZON DES HANDICAPES
Range of Motion Project
_www.rompglobal.org_ ( <URL Redacted>)
Eric Neufeld
Range of Motion Project, NFP
President
Shriners Hospitals for Children
Edward A. Skewes CPO
Director Orthotic and Prosthetic Department
Shriners Hospitals for Children
950 W. Faris Road
Greenville, SC. 29605
(864) 255 - 7951 ext. 7112
Limbs of love
Joe Sansone
C.E.O.
TMC Orthopedic
The Amputee Center
(713) 669-1800
_www.tmcortho.com_ ( <URL Redacted>)
limbsoflove.com
Citation
Jeff Ropp CP, “Replies on Donation of a C-Leg,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 1, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/228605.
