Support Services
Advanced Comfort | Advanced Function | Advanced Lifestyle
Physiotherapy for Amputees
Physiotherapy is available onsite at APC Prosthetics to assist amputees in varying stages of their prosthetic usage:
- Gait re-education from initial fitting of the first prosthesis through to advanced functioning
(eg. return to recreational activities, running, gym programs). - Upgrading/teaching the use of a new prosthetic prescription.
- A program for the use of micro-processor knee joints.
Physiotherapy at APC Prosthetics is provided by Catherine Howells, a registered physiotherapist with a special interest in amputee rehabilitation for the past 23 years.
Catherine has had extensive experience in amputee management starting with the Amputee Unit at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney from 1987-94. Subsequently, she has worked privately in the industry, consulted for screening clinics for the AIS and lectures annually for the UNSW Lower Extremity Prosthetics Course.
In 2009, after many years of thinking about it, Cathy combined with another physiotherapist, Sandra McFaul, to put down her thoughts and experiences in a book format.
The Amputee Coach: Empowering You to Walk Well, Be Fit & Enjoy Life! is written specifically to meet the needs of you as an amputee. It is unique in that it not only looks at exercises for your physical health but also the essentials for your mental and emotional wellbeing.
The information is practical and easy to use. It includes photographs of exercises and “Action Steps” that will teach you the skills and strategies to live a long and health life with an amputation – no matter what your age or amputation level.
IF you would like a copy of The Amputee Coach – either buy one the next time you are at the clinic or follow the link to have it delivered to your door by purchasing it online at http://www.theamputeecoach.com/
You can also get more thoughts from Cathy by following her on Facebook at The Amputee Coach.
Medical Services
Dr. David Millons AM is an internationally respected Orthopaedic Surgeon who has been involved in amputee management for over three decades. His Member of the Order of Australia Medal was in recognition for Service to Medicine particullarly as head of the Amputee Unit at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
APC Prosthetics has been privileged to have been associated with Dr. Millons, and value the benefits he brings to our client base and our team. Dr. Millons runs a regular amputee clinic onsite for our private and insurance clients.
Legal Support
APC Prosthetics routinely provides comprehensive legal reports. We work for claimants or defendants as well as on joint instructions.
We regularly organise assessments to be carried out during a single client visit. This can minimize the time needed to obtain evidence for use in the litigation process at the same time as it reduces costs.
Multidisciplinary immediate needs assessments that identify short term treatment options offer an opportunity for instructing parties and their clients to understand the clinical options available and their implications.
If you require our assistance with a legal report, please contact us.
Funding
If you would like to find out more about the PLS please click on the following link, which takes you straight to their website.
EnableNSW – Prosthetic Limb Service (Formerly known as Artificial Limb Service or ALS) provides funding for a basic prosthetic limb to all eligible amputees. Residents of NSW are eligible for admission to the PLS, provided they hold a valid Medicare Card. A patient contribution of currently 15%, or a maximum of AU$200 per year is applicable, although exemptions from this contribution apply to some amputees.
EnableNSW – Prosthetic Limb Service
Locked Bag 5270
Parramatta NSW 2124
Ph: 1800 362 2533
Fax: 02 8797 6543
Insurance Clients
Patients with an insurance claim will be assessed comprehensively by a multidisciplinary team to determine the prosthetic management plan.
Once approval has been granted by your case manager, we will commence the prosthetics treatment immediately.
If you would like to find out more about this, please contact your case manager or alternatively, contact APC.
Private Clients
APC Prosthetics is Australia’s leading private prosthetic clinic and provides comprehensive services to private clients.
Private clients are free to determine what prosthetic technologies they wish to incorporate in their prostheses without restrictions. The specialists at APC are happy to provide consultations and advice without any demands or commitments to our clients.
Please feel free to contact APC if you wish to review your current and future treatment options.