Insurance providers sometimes move quickly, and by the time you're ready for a prosthesis, they may be ready to cover the cost. However, there are times when you're ready, but insurance hasn't approved your prosthesis yet. That's why we recommend contacting your preferred Arm Dynamics center as soon as you begin considering a prosthesis—whether for a congenital limb difference or after an amputation. Starting early helps us begin the insurance approval process, giving you more time to focus on recovery and selecting the right device.

In the meantime, there are some things you can do to get yourself and your body ready to wear the comfortable, well-fit upper limb prosthesis you’re looking forward to.

Help Your Body as a Whole

For anyone who has experienced an amputation, you might have been giving yourself grace over the past few months. Deservedly so! Perhaps extra dessert, skipping that after dinner walk, a few more episodes before bed. Absolutely understandable to help you cope after a difficult trial. But eventually, starting to build healthy habits will serve you better in the long run. Don’t overdo it by any means, keep in mind how many spoons you have. Just start to think about how you can help yourself by helping your body. Read more in our article, The Best Healthy Habits to Help Mitigate Pain After an Upper Limb Amputation.

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Strengthen Your Residual Limb

This tip applies to individuals with acquired or congenital limb difference. People with a congenital limb difference are usually accustomed to the feeling of a lighter arm. A prosthesis, even with the lightest frame and device, will add weight. Before insurance approval, our occupational therapists can often recommend simple strengthening exercises using basic workout tools to rebuild lost muscle. This advice also applies to those with partial hand differences—daily exercises can help you prepare for wearing a partial hand prosthesis. You may find our article on strengthening your residual limb helpful.

Find Support and Advice

For anyone with an upper limb difference, connecting with someone who has a similar experience can be life changing. It can help you feel less alone and provide valuable tips and advice. If you know which prosthesis you'll be receiving, talking to someone with experience using that device can be especially helpful. While our prosthetists and occupational therapists have years of expertise in fitting and teaching patients, they don't use the devices daily. Want to learn how to find peer support? Read our article or contact us.

Learn About and Try Out Some Adaptive Tools

Adaptive tools can help when you’re wearing a prosthesis and when you’re not. Even after you’re fit with your device, you won’t be wearing it constantly. At first, it’s recommended you follow a wear schedule to allow yourself time to adjust. Once you’re wearing your device as much as you need/want, you will still be taking it off before bed. Adaptive tools, like the Dycem® pictured below, can be helpful right now, before you are fit with a device, and may be helpful as you transition to life with your device. Some people rely on adaptive tools for years afterward, depending on their limb difference level and if they have a unilateral or bilateral difference. Universal design can similarly be employed.

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Engage Your Insurance Provider

Our Arm Dynamics justification and authorization team has an impressive track record of successfully getting insurance claims approved, and sometimes, extra involvement by a patient can speed up the process. Our team members are available to support you with self-advocating, such as writing or calling your insurance provider and sharing your story. How can you get them to think of you as a person, not just a claim number?

The waiting period before being fit with a prosthesis can be challenging, and the adjustment period afterward can be tough too—there’s always a learning curve. Our best advice is don’t give up and don’t fear failure. Just because today didn’t go as planned doesn’t mean tomorrow won’t be better. If you’re an Arm Dynamics patient or on your way to becoming one, you’re on the right track. Our clinical team and support staff have helped countless individuals like you successfully adapt to their prostheses and thrive at work, at home and in their hobbies.

Please contact us to learn more about how we could help you obtain optimal prosthetic care. Your goals are our goals. We provide our patients with upper limb prosthetic solutions that are as unique as they are. If you'd like to comment on this article or share your experience, please do so below.

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