Each year, the month of April is observed as Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month to raise awareness about and to honor the millions of people living with limb loss. Around 507 people lose a limb every day in the U.S. alone. In fact, more than 2.7 million people live with limb loss or limb differences in the United States. People of all ages, races, and income levels are affected by limb loss or limb differences.
“Dr. John Kirchner and I serve a lot of patients with the need for prosthetic services at Southlake Orthopaedics—primarily these needs arise from complications from infections or injuries,” says Dr. William Krauss, a foot and ankle surgeon at Southlake Orthopaedics. “We also work with patients who have previously lost a limb and need different types of prostheses.”
Southlake Orthopaedics is passionate about the care and support we offer for people living with limb differences. Dr. Kirchner and Dr. Krauss are experienced surgeons with an enthusiasm for helping people improve functionality and offer a plethora of knowledge between the two of them. If you are an individual living with limb differences or limb loss and would like to explore what Southlake Orthopedics has to offer, we are always accepting new patients. At Southlake Orthopaedics, we’re proud to provide unparalleled care from a team of experts who are well-versed in a variety of orthopaedic and sports medicine specialties.
“What really makes Southlake Orthopaedics so different is we have a full-time prosthetist and orthotist in our office with us, so if we have a patient who has lost a limb and is looking for a second opinion on either surgery or also prosthetics, we do an in-office evaluation with both the physician and the prosthetist there at the same time,” explains Dr. Krauss. “From there, once the prosthetist takes the measurements, we have a full-time lab that manufactures the prosthetic limb. Once the prosthetic is completed, the prosthetist and I both look at their gait and how the prosthetic fits.”
It is estimated that 3.6 million people will be living with limb loss by 2050. Dr. Krauss says that technological advancements, such as the already available micro-processes for knees and ankles are already incredible, but that he looks forward to the widespread availability of the innovative bio-in-growth method of limb replacement in the very near future. The bio-in-growth method is currently only being used by the U.S. military and a very select few other centers, but it is basically a technique in which a prosthetic is made to grow directly into the tibia or femur, thus improving the prosthetic fit. He can’t wait until the day they can begin to offer it at Southlake Orthopedics for his patients, but until that time, Dr. Krauss is proud to offer the very best available technology for people with limb loss.
“We eliminate the middleman here at Southlake Orthopedics,” says Dr. Krauss, “At other facilities, the physician writes a prescription for a prosthesis, you go see the prosthetist, and you go back and forth and wait for appointments. With our clinic, we streamline, so there is none of that back and forth or waiting involved. It’s simply more efficient and much easier for the patient.”
Waiting for a prosthetic device is not something you want to do when you just had an amputation, so don’t wait. Visit our incredible specialists at Southlake Orthopaedics for comprehensive care! Our team consists of board-certified foot surgeons, therapists, and certified prosthetic and orthotic clinicians who focus on individualized treatment plans for every patient to accomplish the utmost function and comfort. Give us a call at 205-329-7566 or fill out this form for more information or to schedule your appointment.
