A small prosthesis makes a big difference for Elly

At Amputee Care Center (ACC) in Genk, we know that even the smallest prostheses can have a big impact on your life. This is clearly demonstrated by the story of Elly, an adult patient who lost the tip of her left middle finger after an accident. Although at first this may look like a relatively ‘minor’ amputation, it turned out to be a very annoying obstacle to her quality of life. Thanks to a subtle prosthesis we customised at ACC (by Spronken Orthopaedics), Elly regained comfort, confidence and peace of mind. We would love to tell you more about Elly's story. 

Do you have a similar amputation and would like a good customised solution? Then contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Partial finger amputation a nasty obstacle

After an accident, the tip of Elly's finger was unfortunately amputated, which was the beginning of a difficult journey for her. Elly quickly learnt to cope with the loss of her fingertip and adapted well, but still kept running into a recurring problem. Indeed, every time she bumped her finger, she felt a fierce and sharp pain. The wound may have healed, but the physical as well as mental discomfort remained.

So Elly started looking for a solution that would protect her finger without restricting her daily life. This is how she came into contact with the Amputee Care Center prosthetic centre.

An introduction to Amputee Care Center (ACC)

Elly gets to know Spronken Orthopaedics in Genk, of which Amputee Care Center is an important ‘focus unit’. The Amputee Care Center employs committed and experienced prosthetists with years of experience in hand prostheses and finger prostheses, among other areas. Elly indicated that she felt comfortable right from the first consultation. She was helped by Femke, who took ample time to explain everything to her: the possibilities, the materials and what to expect.

Femke is an experienced prosthetist at the Amputee Care Center who is perfectly able to give honest and professional advice about prostheses and the possibilities, without haste or pressure. That transparency gave Elly the confidence to take the step towards a finger prosthesis.

Customised finger prostheses

So after the introductory meeting, the process continued to the practical side of things: fitting the finger prosthesis. At Amputee Care Center, we do not believe in standard devices, but in customisation. That is why every prosthesis (and therefore finger prosthesis) at Amputee Care Center is fully custom-made in our own prosthesis centre. To do so, we work with innovative techniques such as digital scanning and 3D printing for optimal fit and maximum comfort. A small prosthesis, such as Elly's finger prosthesis, requires as much attention in this regard as a full arm prosthesis. Perhaps even more, as a difference of a millimetre can have a major impact on wearing comfort. 

Elly was helped by our colleague Wouter. He made sure Elly's finger prosthesis fitted perfectly. Wouter has a talent for sensing exactly what someone needs and Elly is therefore in good hands with him. 

A realistic-looking finger prosthesis

The final finger prosthesis for Elly is made of medical silicone material. We call this a passive prosthesis. The silicone material provides protection and is soft on contact. 

At ACC, we can adapt these prostheses precisely to the anatomy of a hand and finger. This takes into account not only the shape, but also the colour or tone of the skin, blood vessels and even the shape of the nail. This allows us to make prostheses that look very realistic. So realistic that you can hardly see that someone is wearing a finger prosthesis. In Elly's case, too, the end result is a finger prosthesis that looks very natural and is hardly noticeable.

Recovery after finger amputation

The fact that the prosthesis looks very realistic is a nice touch for Elly. The biggest advantage for her is that this small finger prosthesis provides the physical protection she was looking for. The finger prosthesis we made for her at Amputee Care Center is an ideal solution for her that completely protects her from pain when she bumps her finger. Elly's fear of bumping her finger has disappeared and she can use her hand again without having to be constantly alert to this.

Thanks to her finger prosthesis, Elly once again has the freedom to do the things she enjoys, without extra care or discomfort. Everyday actions such as cooking, gardening and her work she can perform again without thinking. This seems trivial, but as we at Amputee Care Center experience with both Elly and many other patients, this mental freedom is priceless. 

Total care prosthetics

You can see from Elly's story that even with a relatively minor amputation, a prosthesis can be of great importance. Every person and every situation is unique and at Amputee Care Center we treat it accordingly. Do you need a pediatric prosthesis, a leg prosthesis for sports or, as in this case, a fingertip prosthesis? At Amputee Care Center, we offer you a technically very good solution, but we also really listen to your needs and goals.

At Amputee Care Center, we pride ourselves on our personal approach and unique package of total care. In our prosthesis centre, you will not only find prosthetists, but also physiotherapists, physiotherapists and psychologists, among others, to give you maximum support in your rehabilitation.

Small prosthesis, big impact

The fingertip prosthesis Elly wears is barely visible, it is comfortable and protects her finger from impact. For her, the prosthesis is more than a medical device. It restores functionality and self-confidence and has a direct impact on her quality of life. At Amputee Care Center, that is ultimately our main goal.

This kind of customisation requires expertise and innovative technology, which is why it is important to choose a prosthetist-treasurer who listens to your wishes and has the necessary knowledge and experience to turn this into a customised prosthesis. At Amputee Care Center, we are ready to do just that.

Are you also considering a prosthesis, however small?

Perhaps you recognise yourself in Elly's story. Or maybe you or someone close to you also suffers from lasting sensitivity or discomfort after an injury, surgery, amputation or congenital defect.

At the Amputee Care Center in Genk, focus part of Spronken Group, we are ready to give you free advice and a free introductory meeting over a cup of coffee. Together with you, we look at the possibilities and what your wishes and goals are. Not only medically, but also functionally and aesthetically.