Thanks for the very helpful responses about silicone prostheses for partial fingers.
John Brinkmann, CPO
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John,
Depending on how much of the fingers are remaining after the PIP joint will determine how much the custom silicone fingers will help with typing. I can give you a fair assessment by either talking with you about it in detail over the phone, or by examining photos of the digits.
We can also help you obtain a prior determination from the patient’s insurance company.
Sincerely,
Michael Kaczkowski
Alatheia Prosthetics
www.alatheia.com
info@alatheia.com
877 252 8434
John,
In such cases where expense is a great concern, I have actually used the fingers from a cosmetic glove. They are similar in appearance to the custom ones, but certainly not an exact match. To the casual observer they are difficult to detect.
Joel Kempfer CP FAAOP
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A-PEAR BIOMETRIC REPLICATIONS INC.
1334 BERRYBROOK ROAD
ROSCOE, NY 12776
TEL: 607-363-2915*FAX:607-363-2977
1-800-492-9993
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I am currently doing a very similar case (although money is NOT an issue since we now require payment in advance on these things after being screwed 3 times). I have somehow been dubbed the local “restoration gal” after my first successful patient who bragged to his MD and have received around 10 referrals over the past 6 months. Word of mouth works wonders! 🙂 This is a lot compared to having done 0 during the last 6 years. I did a great deal of research on the different companies (not that there are many out there). Here’s my $.02
Realastic makes finger restorations. A single finger costs about $500. They use cadaver molds for the shape and match the size of the finger to the closest one they have available. It is not custom-made. They match skin tone using swatches and these are the same as used for their gloves. The socket is oddly shaped with a top and bottom extension piece beyond a custom suction socket. I am not sure of the purpose of the extension. Viewing these fingers at shows and examples look great, but the actual match to a patient and their sound side leaves much to be desired. Patients are paying high bucks and want perfection. These just don’t live up to expectations.
Livingskin (Aesthetic Concerns Prosthetics), although about 3 times the cost at $1500 per finger, are an absolutely incredible, breath-taking replica. And the customer service is great. Contact Edy (female) and tell her that I sent you. They exceeded MY expectations as well as each patient I’ve fit so far. I’m on my 5th or 6th case currently- fingers, multiples and partial hands and combinations of all. Livingskin has you take impressions (they supply the impression material) of each side and they make a custom restoration that actually has the patient’s own fingerprint! The nails and skin color are matched exactly according to photos taken of the patient and using the sound side mold. The patient can go to NY for exact coloring while they wait or you can do the picture matching technique and choose the appropriate color from a variety of enhanced photos. I have not been disappointed and one in particular case was horribly difficult with 30 degree contracted fingers bilaterally, partial hand on one side and various fingers missing on the other. I have photos of this guy I’ll attach. They did a phenomenal job. And they’re not paying me to say this! I think they are worth the extra money. The transition with finger tips is very thin and the color fades to a clear so that the transition between actual skin and prosthesis is not as noticeable.
As far as typing is concerned, it’s a tough call. The lady I’m currently working with is a data processor and types all day long. She has been doing this for 20 years and now is experiencing soreness at the distal ends. This is why she contacted me. I suggested silicone finger protectors, but she wanted the real deal and did all the dirty work through w/c. I explained that she would have to learn to type all over again and that the restorations would likely slow her down and get in the way. I think once she re-learns to type with the fingers, she will do fine. We have a secretary with 4″ fake fingernails and she types at 60 words per minutes, so who’s to judge? 🙂
Check out Livingskin.com I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Cost, however, is an issue. I show my patients a demo model from each company and explain all the differences. No one yet has chosen the cheaper alternative of Realastic. When it comes to something like this, most patients will do whatever it takes to get the Mercedes over the Hugo. But allow THEM the choice and then YOU’RE not to blame if it doesn’t meet their expectations.
Please contact me if I can help further. It’s always nice to get honest answers from someone NOT working for one of the companies. Be careful what you read because some of the responses may be tainted by practitioners working for one of the manufacturers. HEY- GOOD LUCK. It’s a fun experience.
Joan K. Cestaro, C.P.
RPI- Winchester VA
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