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Kids

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APC has been providing prosthetic services for children with limb difference and amputation for many years. We are involved in the Limb Deficiency Clinics at Westmead Children’s Hospital and Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick, where we work closely together with rehabilitation teams to ensure the best outcomes for the kids we see.

We see a wide range of kids and families from across NSW; from Sydney and surrounds, to more regional and rural parts of the state. APC is an ever-growing family, now with 4 branches and associated outreach clinics, so we reach far and wide across NSW.

Working with the paediatric population is so special because each child is incredibly unique and has their own unique needs and goals. Here at APC, we love working together with kids and their families to help them realise those goals, and help dreams become a reality through providing the most appropriate prosthetic technologies; be it an upper-limb prosthesis to assist in riding a bike, or a lower-limb prosthesis for running and sports, and everything in between!

At APC we understand that each child has their own individual presentations, needs, and wants, and love working together with kids and their families to achieve the best results for all.

NDIS

Most children with limb difference are eligible for NDIS funding. If you’re not sure whether your child is eligible, speak with one of our prosthetists, or check out the eligibility criteria on the NDIS website.

We have been working closely with the NDIS since it was first rolled out in New South Wales, so we have an in-depth understanding of how to best help your child get the prosthetic services they need through the NDIS.

Funding for your Prosthesis

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Depending on your individual circumstance, your prosthetic care will be funded by one of the following funding bodies:

EnableNSW

EnableNSW – Prosthetic Limb Service 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. If you would like to find out more about the PLS please click on the following link:

http://www.enable.health.nsw.gov.au/services/pls

NDIS

The National Disability Insurance Scheme provides funding for eligible amputees under the age of 65. The team at APC Prosthetics have vast experience in navigating this scheme to ensure our client’s prosthetic care is optimised. See our guide here.

If you would like to find out more about the NDIS please click on the following link:

https://www.ndis.gov.au/

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.

Cosmesis

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There are many different cosmetic options for your prosthesis, for both upper and lower limb, and it’s vital to consider what is important to you so that your prosthetist can design a prosthesis that not only is functional to you, your lifestyle and goals, but you can accept, want to wear and be proud of.  The more we can make your prosthesis be a part of your life, whether it be from blending in or standing out, we are willing to try and make it happen!

 

Realism

For some, they want their prosthesis to look as close to an intact leg or their sound side as possible. This often helps these users to accept their prosthesis and promotes higher usage/wear rate. The level of realism attainable depends on your funding body.

Some options available are:

  • Foam cover shaped in house to resemble your sound side.
    • Covered with a cosmetic stocking.
    • Covered with a silicone cover ordered and fabricated externally. These vary in price dependant on level of detail.
  • Exoskeletal prosthesis – either solid or hollow prosthesis without modular components, made in-house & shaped to your measurements, with a pigment mixed in to match your skin tone.

Fashion/Statement

Other prosthetic users prefer their device to represent their fashion sense, their favourite football team, a favourite colour or even have tattoos! For these clients, there are many options for cosmesis that we can achieve both in-house or work with external companies to order in a cosmetic option right for you.

  • Provide your prosthetist with fabric of your choice to be embedded into the lamination of your socket.
  • Choose a colour of pigment to be mixed into the resin for your socket.
  • Your prosthetist can take measurements and order a removable cover for you from companies such as Alleles and UNIQ. These can be beneficial also in filling out long pants and protecting your clothing from the componentry/preventing tears.

There are many more options available so if you have something specific in mind it is important to talk to your prosthetist early on so we can make your prosthesis just right for you!

Comfort, Function & Lifestyle – The APC Philosophy

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At APC Prosthetics we are committed to providing our patients with the best possible outcome. We are focused on achieving maximum comfort and function to allow our patients the best possible lifestyle.

There are two essential factors to achieve comfort –

  1. Socket design and fit
  2. How the forces are absorbed by the stump/socket interface

Socket design and fit revolve around correctly determining the shape of the prosthetics socket and successfully distributing forces created when you are walking or standing on your residual limb. The appropriate socket design and liner material is determined by a skilled Prosthetist to ensure optimum socket comfort.

The keys to achieve best possible function are a comfortable socket, selection of the right components and the correct alignment of your prosthesis.

The selection of the appropriate components is a very important factor to achieve a successful outcome. Because most components are designed for specific activities and specific lifestyles, a comprehensive patient assessment is necessary to determine the right components for each patient and enable them to lead the lifestyle they desire.

The correct alignment of the prosthesis is a vital element to successful function. It means determining the correct position of the socket and components relative to each other.

When all these factors work together in harmony, the result is optimum comfort, function and lifestyle.

Care for your Stump Socks

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The two main reasons for wearing stump socks are:

  1. To protect the residual limb from excessive rubbing against the socket.
  2. To allow the prosthesis to fit better as your residual limb changes. You may find that you wear only one sock in the morning, but have to add a second one as the day progresses. In this case, the sock is used to fill the space between your residual limb and the socket.

Socks & Pelite liners

It is important to find the right combination of socks when using a prosthesis with a pelite liner. This combination can change both throughout the day, and over the life of your prosthesis. With a pelite liner, as you reduce in volume, you may find you need to fill the space between your residual limb and the liner, and/or between the liner and the hard socket to snug up the fit. If you have any queries on how to do this, you can ask your prosthetist.

Socks & Silicone liners

Unlike in traditional pelite liners, when using socks with silicone/gel liners, the sock is used outside the liner between the liner and the hard socket which maintains contact of the silicone/gel with your skin.

Pin liners: It is important to ensure the pin is completely through the hole located at the end of your sock so that the fabric doesn’t get caught in the lock body. If this happens, it can cause the lock to stick and you will have trouble doffing your prosthesis.

Seal-in liners: If your prosthesis uses a rubber sealing ring to create a vacuum suspension, talk to your prosthetist to ensure you understand volume management for your liner type. Some do not support the use of socks. If it does, make sure that the sock is neatly tucked under the sealing ring prior to donning your prosthesis.

If you find you have reduced in volume to an extent that you are slipping inside the liner itself, contact your prosthetist as you may need a new liner, or an alternate solution to be found.

Cleaning your stump socks

It is very important to keep your stump socks in a clean and hygienic state. They should be changed and cleaned daily.

Here are some DO’s and DON’TS that will help you clean your prosthetic stump socks correctly:

Do:

  • Hand wash only.
  • Use approved wool detergent to wash your prosthetic stump socks.
  • Squeeze suds gently through the prosthetic stump socks and rinse with clear warm water.
  • Roll the prosthetic stump socks in a towel to blot out the extra water.
  • Hang stump socks out to dry.

Don’t: 

  • Do Not wash with hot water – this might cause your prosthetic stump socks to shrink.
  • Do Not twist & rub wet socks as this may cause the socks to lose their shape.
  • Do Not wring them out.
  • Do Not use a clothes dryer to dry prosthetic stump socks.

Care for your Prosthesis

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Liner Care

If you have a prosthetic liner you should wash it on a daily basis. Ensuring the soap/detergent you use is non-abrasive, mild and no fragrance. These substances and harsh detergents and chemicals can slowly eat away at the silicone or gel and reduce the life of your liner.

There are a few ways you can clean your liner:

  • Option 1: invert your silicone liner and using a damp cloth with a mild detergent, gently wipe it out.
  • Option 2: with your liner the right way out, use warm, soapy water to fill the inside. Swirl around the liner and tip out the water. These first two methods are good for mid-week cleans when the external fabric of the liner is in clean condition
  • Option 3: you can completely submerge your liner in warm, soapy water to deep clean the outer layer of protective fabric as it is required.

NOTE: Make sure to remove any grit, skin or fluff from the inside of your liner, as this can cause both skin irritation/rubs or reduce the effectiveness of the suspension of the liner.

It is important in all methods to rinse out the liner with clean water (no soap) to remove any soapy residue as this can cause skin irritation/contact dermatitis.

To dry your liner:

Pat dry with a microfibre towel (or other no-fluff towel such as a chamois) and/or leave it overnight (hanging upside down and right way out) to dry completely.

If you have been provided with two liners, you can wash one and wear the other while it dries.

Never put your liner in a washing machine or clothes dryer, as it may damage or even destroy it. Your liner’s warranty will not be applicable if used in this way and damage is caused.

Socket Care

Upper Limb (UL) users: Your socket should be cleaned weekly. Simply wipe it with a damp cloth and a mild detergent and dry it thoroughly before you put it back on. You should regularly clean the hand and/or cosmetic glove.

Trans-tibial (TT) users: Your socket should be cleaned weekly. Simply wipe it with a damp cloth and a mild detergent and dry it thoroughly before you put it back on.

Trans-femoral (TF) Users: Your socket should be cleaned daily. Wipe your socket with a damp cloth and a mild detergent and dry it thoroughly before you put it back on.
It is not necessary to use an antiseptic to clean your prosthesis. DO NOT use Dettol or other solvents to clean your socket or liner.

Prosthetic Components

DO NOT clean any of your prosthetic components, as they have very specific maintenance requirements, which should only be carried out by your Prosthetist. If you are concerned about any of your components, please contact us.

New extension to NDIS review plans due to COVID-19

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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NDIS has introduced changes to the current plan review process. This involves extending your current plan for an extra 12 months. The extension of your plan will have the same amount of funding for your Core and Capacity Building Budget as currently allocated. This fund allocation will only cover the ongoing maintenance of your prosthetics and NOT include the funding for any new prosthesis or socket replacements. All new prostheses or socket replacements require a quotation to be sent to the NDIS for approval.

If you have any questions about the NDIS plan extensions, please reach out to your Prosthetist.

Reviewing your prosthetic plans at APC

Best practice care recommends your prosthetist undertakes 6-monthly reviews of your prosthesis and your care plan to ensure it is still meeting your needs and allowing you to achieve your intended goals. With the changes to the NDIS plan review process, it is important that you arrange an appointment with your prosthetist prior to your new plan being implemented or extended (or if you have recently had your plan extended). Your prosthetist will be able to submit quotations to the NDIS so that the funding you need for any new prostheses or socket replacements can be allocated in your new plan. This process will reduce the time needed for the NDIS to approve your request in the future.
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Our safety commitment to you

We are now almost 6-months into the COVID-19 outbreak.  It has been a challenging time for our community, and we are all doing our best to adapt to the “new normal”. We remain hopeful governments and the broader community will make progress containing the COVID-19 threat, but also remain pragmatic in our mid to long term outlook.

APC Prosthetics clients and personnel have fortunately remained untouched by COVID. The health of our clients and our dedicated team is always our main priority. We constantly update our treatment & procedures in line with NSW Health recommendations, to ensure we have the best practices in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These measures include pre-visit screening and the use of protective equipment whilst on site. Our physical environment is regularly cleaned and disinfected throughout the day, including between appointments.

You may feel unsure about visiting health service providers due to the current COVID-19 environment, however, please be assured that our APC Clinics and staff are operating to the highest standards to mitigate transmission risks. We will also accommodate your requests to make your visit comfortable and safe. Please speak with our reception team if there are any requests you have when making your appointment.

We look forward to seeing you in the near future and remain dedicated to providing you with the best care in the safest environment.

Tips for navigating the NDIS

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APC Prosthetics was at the forefront of the NDIS service provision, being involved in the start-up trials in Newcastle on the 1st July 2013. As a result, we have learnt much over the last six years, and have had a great many successful interactions with the NDIS in that time.

We have found that the main issue experienced by the NDIS participant, is the length of time for the limb approval process. To assist with the flow and expedite the approval process we have put together a checklist that should assist with your NDIS interactions and approval time. The listed items should assist both the new and experienced amputee.

5 Steps to getting NDIS approved

  1. Register with the NDIS
  2. NDIS will contact you and arrange a meeting with your NDIS representative. Be prepared to tell them what tasks you are having difficulty with. Make sure there are funds in your NDIS plan for your prosthetist to do a full assessment and report including outcome measures. You also need funding for adjustments and consumables built into your plan allowing for the upkeep of your current limb until approval comes through for your new limbs which may take some time.  A cost estimate from your prosthetist may be helpful if available to you.  Ensure your listed goals are relevant to your prosthetic needs, they may focus on mobility, independence, return to sports etc. and will assist your NDIS representative and prosthetist in identifying the suitability of your prosthetic prescription.
  3. Make an appointment with your prosthetist for at least one hour and be prepared for a number of assessments to determine what type of limb is best suited to you and will assist in achieving the goals listed in your plan. Please bring your NDIS plan to this appointment, so your prosthetist can review and find solutions to the tasks you are having difficulty with. Communicate and work with your prosthetist, as this appointment determines your future limb provision.
  4. Be patient. There are many hours of research and report writing needed by your prosthetist to determine what type of limb is suited for your lifestyle. The quotation for your limb/limbs will accompany the report that is submitted to the NDIS by your service provider. This can take time depending on the complexity of the report.
  5. Once approval is provided by the NDIS you will be contacted by your service provider, an appointment will be made for the cast and measurements for your new limb.

Information you need to know

  • The funding for a limb is broken into two categories, one for limb componentry and the other for the clinical time (face to face) with your prosthetist, including the ongoing maintenance of your limb.
  • It is imperative that the participant is aware of how their plan and associated funding is managed. Confusion with this will significantly delay limb provision and cause frustration for all parties.
  • We have found from our experience, that the best and fastest way for limb approval, is for the participant to be NDIA Managed. This means the service provider interacts and invoices the NDIS directly generally resulting in faster provision of services and approval for limb fabrication.
  • If the participant is Self-Managed, all interactions with the NDIS are done by the participant. The participant is responsible for funding the approved limb and making payment directly to the service provider. They must navigate the online NDIS portal, uploading bills for payment and billing from the correct categories, so be prepared for this if you select this option (computer knowledge is recommended).  All records of transaction should be kept on hand for audit purposes.  Self-Managed participants should be familiar with the full process and can successfully navigate the NDIS system. Any problems experienced throughout the process will need to be solved by the participant and NDIS, with limited or no input from the service provider.
  • Plan Managed means a third party will be processing your invoices. Your prosthetist will need the details of the Plan Manager to communicate and sort out funding so they can provide your prosthetic services. Be prepared for some delays due to the interaction required between the provider and Plan Manager. Participants may have a delay of up to two weeks due to Plan Management processing of payments.

If these points are used as a guide the system should flow smoothly. In general, the approval process has improved over the last year, with the complete process taking months or at times weeks from start to finish.

If in doubt or you have any questions, please contact your service provider as they have experience in successfully navigating the NDIS system.

COVID-19 Notification

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We contact you to provide an update on measures being taken by APC Prosthetics to deal with the current COVID-19 virus concern.

Firstly, it is important to announce that we have just been advised by the Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt, that prosthetic/amputee services are considered essential services.  Subsequently we ask all of our clients to continue with their current treatment plans and current involvement with APC.  The exception being if you are experiencing cold/flu like symptoms, or need to follow self-isolation protocols.  If this does occur, please speak with our administration/reception team to discuss the deferment of your treatment.  We will attempt to prioritise the completion of your care at a later date.

Our primary focus is to ensure the health and well-being of our staff and our clients.  To this end, we have followed the health authority guidelines and protocols.  We are focusing on :-

  • Hygiene – In line with best practice
  • Social distancing recommendations – To minimise any risk of potential transmission
  • Isolation of any staff member displaying cold or flu symptoms – Zero risk objective

These measures may mean a slight change of procedures when you visit the APC clinics, but won’t impact your treatment.  We will continue to monitor the recommendations of the authorities and respond accordingly to ensure your health and peace of mind.  The situation continues to evolve, but we have a dedicated team who are focusing solely on managing this complicated situation.  Rest assured we will act conservatively to ensure the absolute safety of our clients.

From Monday 23rd March, we will be adjusting our work rosters and working in isolated independent split teams at selected APC locations.  We are doing this to ensure continuity of services to our clients at all locations should any of our team be exposed to the virus.

Our services will continue to be available, and our clinics open.  Continuity of service is important at this time.  We will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep our clients and partners updated.  If this status changes, we will immediately advise.

The team at APC are committed to the care of the local amputee community, and will do our best to meet your needs in this unusual time.  If you have any concerns or queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kindest regards,

Harvey Blackney
Managing Director
APC Prosthetics

APC Central Coast Clinic Grand Opening Event

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