Welcome To Amputee Care Center
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Thanks to modern myoelectric and bionic prosthetic technology, there are more and more possibilities for people with forearm or upper arm amputations. Discover what is possible with modern arm prostheses at Amputee Care Center!
At Amputee Care Center, we use the latest myoelectric and bionic technologies to provide optimal support to people with arm amputations. From the first myoelectric arm to an advanced bionic prosthesis. We guide you from start to finish and arrange reimbursement with your insurance company. The future is a combination of biological and technical functions, so literally bionic!
Contact us by completing the Contact Form or by calling +32 (0)470 500 888.
We are at your service.
Myoelectric arm prostheses have been around since the 1950s, and we are proud to have been making this innovative technology available in our specialised orthopaedic workshop since 1960. Over the past decades, thousands of arm amputees have been helped with a myo arm prosthesis. It is wonderful to see how these solutions enable people to participate fully in everyday life. We are delighted to be able to contribute to this every time! Since the 1980s and 1990s, batteries and electronics have become smaller and more powerful, giving myo prostheses more functions.
Since the 2000s, myoelectric arm prostheses have been greatly refined: the new generation now offers multiple gripping functions, advanced sensors and tactile technology. The Amputee Care Center by Spronken is making more and more customised bionic arm prostheses. With bionic hands, 3D-printed attachments and even connections to AI (artificial intelligence) for more natural and intuitive use.
A myoelectric arm prosthesis (or myo arm for short) uses electrical signals sent by your muscles, which they continue to do even after amputation. These signals are picked up by electrodes built into the prosthetic socket. For example, when you tense your arm or hand muscles, the prosthesis converts that signal into movement: the prosthetic hand opens, closes or grasps an object. This makes a myo arm prosthesis very intuitive. Instead of mechanical cables or harnesses, as with a mechanical prosthesis, you move the arm prosthesis with your own muscles that are still present in the stump. This makes it easier to hold a cup or cutlery, zip up your coat, write or type, and do sporting or creative activities such as drawing or playing the violin.
The difference between a myoelectric and a bionic arm prosthesis lies mainly in the complexity of the movements and the technology used.
Myoelectric prosthesis
A myoelectric prosthesis uses muscle signals that are picked up by electrodes on the skin. These signals control electric motors that open or close the prosthetic hand.
Bionic prosthesis
In recent years, our myoelectric prosthesis wearers have increasingly opted for the new generation of bionic arm prostheses. Bionic prostheses have more advanced systems that not only detect muscle (myo) movements, but can also interpret nerve signals, enabling more natural and complex movements. Some bionic hands can move the thumb and fingers separately, making them more versatile than myoelectric prostheses. In short, a bionic arm is a prosthetic arm that attempts to function like a real arm, using smart electronic systems.
Sensors, motors, battery technology and software now work seamlessly together to create a prosthetic arm that moves almost like a natural arm. But that's not all: thanks to the drop in the cost of components, we can now offer bionic arm prostheses in the United Kingdom at the health insurance rate. This means that patients do not have to pay any additional costs, making this advanced technology finally accessible to everyone. And honestly, that is perhaps the greatest advance of all!
The creation of a myoelectric or bionic arm prosthesis is always custom work. At Amputee Care Center, we therefore always follow a careful process to ensure that you receive a perfect, custom-made arm prosthesis.
Do you already have an arm prosthesis, but are you not entirely satisfied with it? Then you are also welcome to visit us for a free, no-obligation second opinion.
There are plenty of reasons why people choose a myoelectric arm. At Amputee Care Center, we often see a myoelectric arm as the logical intermediate step on the way to an advanced bionic arm. But why would you choose an electric, electronic or bionic arm prosthesis?
With a modern myoelectric or bionic arm, you can perform everyday tasks that are much more difficult or even impossible with a passive or mechanical prosthesis. Think of picking up a glass of water, holding a smartphone or using a knife and fork. Your arm truly becomes an extension of yourself!
For children, we adapt the prosthesis to their growth. Thanks to 3D printing techniques, we can quickly produce sleeves and covers and fully personalise them with colours or themes. A myo arm at a young age gives more independence and often lays the foundation for the transition to a bionic arm later on. The Hero Arm is very popular with our children and teenagers and is fully reimbursed by health insurance funds in Belgium.
Well-known modern myoelectric hands include the Michelangelo hand, Bebionic hand and i-Limb Quantum. Each system has unique capabilities. At Amputee Care Center, we offer a wide range of options and take a completely brand-independent approach to finding the best fit for you. Together with you, we design an arm prosthesis that is not only functional, but also makes you truly happy.
Many prosthesis wearers who want a bionic arm start with a myoelectric arm first. This allows you to get used to additional functions, making the transition to a bionic arm easier later on. Both are largely reimbursed, so you can explore the possibilities without any worries.
Do you already have a myo arm? Come and visit us and discover how much more your arm can do!
At Amputee Care Center, we specialise in paediatric orthopaedics and paediatric prostheses. For children, it is not only functionality that plays a role, but also their growth, self-confidence and simply being a child.
With babies, we often start with a simple “patting hand”. As the child gets older, we introduce light myoelectric prostheses that allow them to learn how to use their arm in a playful way. Many children choose a cheerful colour and interchangeable covers, or later even a bionic Hero Arm with a superhero theme. This makes the prosthesis not just an aid, but something they are proud of! We often hear from parents that their child makes friends more quickly and becomes more active in school activities thanks to their ‘cool’ new bionic prosthesis.
There is a good chance that your arm prosthesis will be reimbursed, but it is wise to contact us in advance to arrange everything correctly.
In Belgium, a myoelectric arm prosthesis is covered by the RIZIV mutual health insurance fund. Certain conditions and renewal periods apply (usually between 3 and 5 years, depending on your age and the prosthesis). At Amputee Care Center, we work with all Belgian health insurance funds and organise the administration for the application for (full) reimbursement of your myoelectric arm prosthesis or bionic arm prosthesis.
In the Netherlands, a myoelectric arm prosthesis is included in the basic package and is usually covered by basic insurance. Amputee Care Center by Spronken is a recognised supplier of prostheses in the Netherlands. We work together with certain Dutch health insurers and are happy to apply for authorisation on your behalf.
Your health insurance may sometimes reimburse the costs of an arm prosthesis in another EU country. This falls under cross-border healthcare. Steps to apply for reimbursement:
During second opinions at our prosthetics centre, we often hear from people who now have a myoelectric arm that they chose this option because they thought that a bionic arm prosthesis would not be reimbursed and would therefore be unaffordable. This is despite the fact that a bionic arm would have given them many more possibilities.
Fortunately, this is not true: in both Belgium and the Netherlands, there are more and more options for having a bionic arm reimbursed by your health insurance fund. This is done through the same procedures as for a myoelectric arm. However, insurers and mutual health insurance funds do check whether a bionic arm offers demonstrable added value over a standard myoelectric arm. Think of your work, education or independence in daily life.
Because the reimbursement is often better than expected, we see that many prosthesis wearers do dare to take the step towards a bionic arm. At Amputee Care Center, we guide you through this medical and administrative process, so that you don't have to worry about a thing.
Would you like to find out whether a myoelectric arm prosthesis is right for you or your child? Contact us at Amputee Care Center and schedule a free introductory consultation. Together, we will take the first step towards greater independence, self-confidence and, ultimately, the bionic prosthetic arm that perfectly suits your active lifestyle.
Contact us by completing the Contact Form or by calling +32 (0)470 500 888.
We are at your service.
Spronken is a NEN-EN-ISO 13485-certified supplier of orthopaedic equipment. Over the past 60 years, Spronken has grown into one of the largest companies in the fields of orthoses, prostheses, mobility and state-of-the-art rehabilitation equipment in Europe.
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