Becoming a patient
- A referral is needed to become a patient in the Prosthetics & Orthotics department at HHS
- Please contact your physician or general practitioner for a referral
Directions
- 325 Wellington St. North, Hamilton ON L8L 0A4
- Located across the street from Hamilton General Hospital
- Paid parking is available on site
- Once inside:
- Walk through main entrance
- Look left
- Enter double doors labelled Prosthetics & Orthotics Department
- Check in at reception desk to the left
Referrals
- Prosthetics & Orthotics (P&O) Referral Form
- Referral form/submission information for physicians (number to fax referrals to)
- The prosthetics department receives the majority of new referrals from the Amputee Outpatient Clinic located at the Regional Rehab Centre
- Prosthetic delivery in Ontario is primarily supported through Assistive Devices Program (ADP) funding
- The funding model for prosthetic care is based on the clinic delivery model which requires the amputee to be assessed by a specialist and the rehabilitation team in the same place at the same time
What to expect at your appointment
Initial Assessment
- A clinician (registered Prosthetist) will assess the patient’s needs
- A gait analysis may be conducted, in which a clinician will watch the patient walk
- A physical examination, including taking measurements, will take place
Casting
- Residual limb(s) may be casted to create a custom fit for new socket
Fitting
- After the socket has been produced, the socket and components will be adjusted to create a perfect fit
- The patient will try on the socket and evaluate its performance and level of comfort
- Any necessary adjustments will be made at this point
Follow-Up
- A follow-up appointment is used to ensure the socket and components are functioning properly and to fix any issues the patient may have
- At any point a patient can request a follow-up appointment if they are experiencing any issues
What to do when you take your device home
- Closely follow care and cleaning instructions that have been provided to you by your Prosthetist/Orthotist
- Inspect for signs of wear on a regular basis
When to come back
Please contact us for a follow-up appointment when:
- Your device is no longer fitting you
- Your device has been damaged and is in need of repair
- You are experiencing any discomfort or skin irritation as a result of wearing your device
- Your device no longer meets your needs