Tune in THIS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6 @ 7:00, as WDTN's Jim Bucher and Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce President, Phil Parker host a half-hour special initiative, "Buy Dayton," which will feature Optimus Prosthetics! Sponsored by the Chamber, the aim of this program is to jump start the local economy by highlighting businesses that you can support.

Why did Optimus Prosthetics feel that it was important to be involved? Scott Schall, CP and co-owner explains, "One of our core values has to do with serving the community of which we are a part. We are a local company - our employees live here; our children attend local schools. We are a proud member of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, and of Aileron. We are season ticket holders for the Dayton Dragons and support local charities, and we were very proud to be a part of this great program put together by the Dayton Chamber."

Optimus Prosthetics would like to introduce you to one of our newest prosthetic recipients, Carolina. Carolina was referred to Optimus by her pediatric surgeon, Dr. Michael Albert, this past May, just two months before her first birthday. She had undergone an amputation as a treatment plan for her congenital PFFD.

Tim Riedlinger, CPO and Clinical Manager, explains, "Proximal femoral focal deficiency, or PFFD, is the absence of the proximal, or top, end of the femur (thigh bone) which is characterized by an extremely short femur.  The total limb length of the affected side is about the level of the knee joint on the unaffected side.  Many times a Symes amputation (removal of the foot) is the best course of treatment along with receiving a prosthesis. 

Tim adds, "When I met Carolina she was already crawling and wanting to go from sit to stand.  Developmentally, she was ready for a prosthesis!   She had places to go and things to do!"

Carolina received her new prosthesis at the end of June and, after several weeks of getting accustomed to her new limb, along with some great therapy care, she began pulling herself up, and walking behind her push toys, much like any child of her age. As she grows, her additional height will allow for a knee and ankle to be added, and she will be running around in no time!

Carolina's mother, Tina, states, "With my first child, I didn't have to be involved with many doctors. It's different with Carolina. My sister referred me to Dr. Albert, who referred me to Optimus. It's so nice to find people who are really there for the kids, you know? Dr. Albert and Tim - they are both there for the kids."

The American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association held their annual National Assembly September 19 - 22 in Las Vegas, NV.  Attending on behalf of Optimus Prosthetics was Certified Prosthetist and co-owner, Scott Schall.  A highlight of the Assembly was keynote speaker, Melissa Stockwell, an Iraqi War Veteran and above knee amputee with an incredibly inspirational story.

We are proud of our patients, and their personal triumphs! If you have a picture or video of yourself "living life to the fullest," we would like to post it on our Facebook page! Send it to Beth Warren. And don't forget to "Like" us!

Each quarter, we bring you information and support on living with a prosthetic device. In this issue: Protecting Your Prosthetic Investment.

by Erik Schaffer, CP, inMotion Magazine

Today, prosthetic devices often cost as much as or more than a new car, and with the advent of new prosthetic technologies, such as bionics and neuroprosthetics, the cost will only continue to escalate. Given the significant dollar amounts at issue, individuals would be wise to consider their prosthesis as an investment - as a unique piece of functional art - and to take steps to maximize its useful life.

1. Schedule Regular Maintenance

A prosthesis is a mechanical device, and like any other mechanical device, it can fail due to wear and tear over time. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to remember that when it is operating properly and you are not experiencing any discomfort. To prevent or postpone dangerous and expensive problems, however, it is important to schedule regular check-ups even when you have no current problems.

If you fail to follow this basic guideline, you are putting both your safety and your finances at risk. Some insurance policies, for example, permit delivery of a prosthetic foot or hand only once every three years. If you wear your prosthesis for a year, waiting to come in for an appointment until something breaks, you may then have to pay out-of-pocket to replace the foot or hand because it is so badly damaged that it cannot be fixed.

Alternatively, if you had simply taken the time to schedule regular follow-up visits - three or four a year, ideally - the problem could have potentially been remedied by giving your prosthetist the opportunity both to identify the problem and perform repairs before the component failed. Thus, you would have (a) protected yourself against injury/inconvenience, (b) extended the useful life of your prosthesis, and (c) simultaneously saved a significant amount of your own money.

There is no downside to this kind of maintenance, other than the time it takes to have it performed. Regular visits to your prosthetist are an important element in protecting your prosthetic investment.

Read the rest of the article here.

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