FACTS AND QUESTIONS

Q? Do I Need to Schedule an Appointment?

Yes. Allen Orthopedic Labs requires an appointment. Please call 415.925.1333 to schedule. Appointment lengths vary dependent upon the scope of services to be provided that day.

If you cannot keep an appointment, please notify us as soon as you become aware of the scheduling conflict.

Q? Do I Need a Prescription or Physician Referral?

Yes. A prescription from your primary care physician or referring physician is required for your visit.

Q? What Can I Expect on My First Visit?

As a new patient, you will be asked to provide insurance information and medical history. You may also print our patient information form ahead of time.

When you come to the office for your appointment, a practitioner will evaluate your condition, review your history, and discuss options depending on your specific needs and desires.

Q? What Costs Will My Insurance Cover?

Your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company. We urge you to be fully aware of your policy’s provisions before your first appointment.

We will request authorization from your insurance company for the services to be provided. Upon authorization, we will submit a claim directly to the insurance company. Like other medical providers, you will be responsible for the remaining balance of services.

Q? What is Phantom Pain?

After you have part of your arm or leg amputated, there’s a chance you could feel pain in the limb that’s no longer there. This is known as phantom limb pain.

Q? Is There a Treatment for Phantom pain?

The most common treatments for phantom pain are medication, mirror treatment, stump stimulation, and cognitive therapies.

Q? Are Prostheses Able to Make Me Just Like I Was Before?

A prosthesis is not bionic. It is an artificial replacement for a missing limb or part of a limb. Although a prosthesis is never as natural as your own limb, it can help you do many things quite effectively.

Q? When Do I Begin the Fitting Process?

Typically, 3 to 5 days after you have been casted we will custom fabricate your prosthesis in our state-of-the-art laboratory.

Q? Why Choose Onsite Fabrication?

Our on-site lab allows us to design custom solutions faster than other orthotic and prosthetic services.

Q? Do Prostheses Hurt?

A prosthesis should fit snugly, though it may take you some time to acclimate using it. If you are experiencing pain, contact us immediately! Pain is a sign your prosthesis might need adjustment. Your body is constantly changing, and changes in the shape of your residual limb may require some modifications to your prosthesis.

Q? What Changes May Occur to My Residual Limb?

Residual limbs tend to decrease in volume and size as prostheses improve circulation, which removes excess fluid from the residual limb’s tissues. Your limb can also change shape from wearing a prosthesis for some time.

Over the long term, some of the musculature in your residual limb may get smaller. Your body is constantly changing in response to pressures that are applied to it. Some of the muscles in your residual limb aren’t attached to the body parts they used to be attached to, and these muscles no longer do the same jobs they used to, so they get smaller over time.

ALLEN ORTHOPEDIC LABS

A wealth of experience.

Allen Orthopedic Labs was founded in 2005 by John and Leslie Allen to meet the orthotic and prosthetic needs of Marin County and greater San Francisco residents. As a husband/wife team, we offer a complete range of quality orthotic and prosthetic devices and service and specialize in custom-made braces and prosthetic limbs.

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

Contact us with an additional questions or concerns that you may have and we will be happy to answer them in a timely fashion.

AVAILABLE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY