 No one should have to put up with a painful and poorly fitting prosthesis. If your prosthesis doesn’t fit right—if you are experiencing persistent pain or are noticing blisters or skin breakdown on your stump—contact your doctor immediately and ask for a prescription so we can make you a new prosthesis.
Bi-State Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc. can help you by developing a more intimate-fitting prosthesis. Some of our custom-designed artificial limbs are computer-generated for better accuracy; others are fit using a hands-on plaster casting method.
At Bi-State Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc., our goal is to provide you with a prosthesis that can enable you to do as much as possible. This is a accomplished by working with you until a satisfactory fit is achieved.
Fast turnaround and easier modifications
A "check" socket to test the fit of your new prosthesis is available within three to five days after your first visit to Bi-State Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc.. Your prosthesis, fitted with other appropriate components, is usually completed less than two weeks later, provided there are no medical or insurance complications. After a trial period of a week or two to check the fit, your prosthesis is covered with a cosmetic foam cover to match your skin tone. While an occasional adjustment to your prosthesis is acceptable, constant pain or discomfort is not!
For easier modifications, detailed images of your prosthesis are stored in our computer's memory. This enables us to accurately track changes to your limb and make future modifications easier. Even the stump of a twenty-year amputee undergoes change with a new prosthesis! A change in your weight or an increase or decrease in your level of activity can also affect the size of your limb and necessitate an adjustment.
Bi-State Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc.
welcomes out of town guests
Most of Bi-States’ patients live right here in the Saint Louis region. But when the lead guitarist of a hot new California rock band needed a new prosthesis, his friend Tony La Russa decided to help. The Cardinals’ manager spoke with his team doctor, George Paletta, who asked Precision if they could make Tony Ricker a new leg.
Born without a right leg, Tony had never let anything stand in the way of his dreams. But then his band, Bullets and Romance, was just about to make it big, and it had been three years since anyone had made him a new leg. At eighteen years old, his duck-tape-covered prosthesis was too short and no longer fit.
Precision arranged for Tony to fly in for a week and stay in a hotel near their clinic. Even though a prosthesis that goes all the way up to a patient’s hip is one of the most difficult to fit properly, Precision’s prosthetists (now Bi-State) Wayne Sprouse had Tony up walking by Thursday morning.
Tony says the socket of his new prosthesis is the most comfortable he has ever worn. He also likes that it is less bulky and looks better under his torn jeans.
 Wayne continued to make adjustments to the leg over the next couple of days while Tony got used to walking with it. By Saturday, Tony and his new friends were rocking with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Dr. George Paletta arranged for Wayne and friends to attend the June 17 game against the Colorado Rockies at Busch Stadium. Stoked about his brand new prosthesis, Tony Ricker introduced Precision Prosthetics to his friend Tony La Russa.
In the clubhouse before the game, Tony, and Wayne had the time of their lives meeting players and getting autographs. Chris Carpenter signed a jersey for Wayne’s favorite charity, the Children’s Home Society of Missouri, and Albert Pujols graciously took time out from a casual game of dominoes to sign a couple of balls.
’6-5 victory over the Rockies, pitcher Jeff Suppan earned his 100th career win, slugger Juan Encarnacion homered twice, and closer Jason Isringhausen picked up the save. A good time was had by all.
Already this year, we have fit a number out-of-town patients from Arizona, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Lake of the Ozarks (Missouri), and even Afghanistan. Some patients fly into town; others are truck drivers who make Precision an occasional stop along their long routes.
Patients typically stay about a week, which is the same amount of time Precision usually takes to make a prosthesis for locals, barring medical or insurance complications. Bi-States' speedy service and comfortable fit keep their patients coming back year after year, whether they live in California like Tony Ricker, or right here in beautiful St. Louis like the rest of us.
How our computerized design system works
- It all starts and ends with our certified prosthetist. He will ask you questions to determine your lifestyle and what components you need. For instance, you may be a community ambulator and not need a high-tech, more expensive foot used for athletes. There are many different types of feet available. Precision Prosthetics will work with you to determine which components best meet your needs.
- After determining which components are best suited to your needs, our prosthetist will take detailed measurements of your stump. These measurements and other pertinent facts are keyed into our unique "Can-Fit" computer system which produces a detailed image of your prosthesis.
- The computer carves a positive mold. Clear plastic is vacuum-formed over the mold to produce a clear socket to check your fit. The "check" socket enables the prosthetist to ensure that a proper mold has been achieved prior to final manufacture. After the initial fitting, components are ordered and your prosthesis is assembled. Our prosthetist will perform your final fit and adjust your prosthesis for maximum comfort.
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