FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL
- Why choose Hager Orthopaedic Clinics Ltd.?
- What can I expect at my first appointment?
- Do I need a prescription or referral from a physician to be seen at Hager Orthopaedic Clinics Ltd.?
- What are prosthetists and orthotists?
- I have been prescribed an orthotic or prosthetic device, how long will it take to obtain this treatment?
- Are appointments necessary?
- What are some sources of funding for prosthetic, orthotic, and post-mastectomy treatments?
- Does Hager Orthopaedic Clinics Ltd. fit children (pediatrics)?
- Is Hager Orthopaedic Clinics Ltd. wheelchair accessible?
- I live a great distance from Kelowna, will Hager Orthopaedic Clinics Ltd. expedite my fitting to save me valuable travel time?
PROSTHETICS
- The doctor has told me that they may need to amputate my foot, am I able to talk to somebody about what happens next?
- I recently lost my leg and will be seen by the rehabilitation department at the Kelowna General Hospital. Am I able to still be seen by the prosthetists at Hager?
- Does Hager Orthopaedic Clinics Ltd. fit myoelectric prostheses?
- Does Hager Orthopaedic Clinics Ltd. fit C-legs?
- Does Hager Orthopaedic Clinics work with Paralympic athletes?
general
WHY CHOOSE HAGER ORTHOPAEDIC CLINICS LTD.?
Our clinicians are certified in custom fabricated and fitted orthotic and prosthetic treatments. Our creative orthotic team is able to offer solutions for chronic conditions, injuries, and rehabilitation from the head to the feet. Examples of some of our orthotic treatments include diabetic foot orthoses, shoe modifications, sports bracing, ankle-foot orthoses (AFO), and spinal bracing. Our prosthetic treatments range from traditional designs to microprocessor knees and myoelectric prosthetic hands. We are able to help both the geriatric patient with limited mobility, and the young athlete with high energy demands. No clinical presentation is beyond our capabilities and our on-site lab ensures the highest quality fabrications.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT AT MY FIRST APPOINTMENT?
At your initial visit, you will receive a full assessment to determine your physical needs and goals. This may include tests of your gait, range of motion, and muscle strength. After the assessment and discussion, a cast and/or measurements may be taken.
DO I NEED A PRESCRIPTION OR REFERRAL FROM A PHYSICIAN TO BE SEEN AT HAGER ORTHOPAEDIC CLINICS LTD.?
No. We are happy to provide an assessment of your orthotic, prosthetic, or mastectomy needs. However, to obtain funding for your treatment you may need a prescription from your family physician or specialist.
WHAT ARE PROSTHETISTS AND ORTHOTISTS?
I HAVE BEEN PRESCRIBED AN ORTHOTIC OR PROSTHETIC DEVICE, HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO OBTAIN THIS TREATMENT?
We will book you in to begin the process at your earliest convenience. Once we’ve taken the cast and measurements, we will usually have the device ready for trial within 1-2 weeks. In most cases, the device is completed at this time and you only need to return for follow-up care. In prosthetics, you may have two to three appointments (or more) before the device is complete, and follow-up care is routinely provided.
ARE APPOINTMENTS NECESSARY?
Yes. An appointment is required in order to ensure that we can dedicate sufficient time for your visit. However, for urgent problems, we can usually accommodate same-day appointments.
WHAT ARE SOME SOURCES OF FUNDING FOR PROSTHETIC, ORTHOTIC, AND POST-MASTECTOMY TREATMENTS?
There are multiple sources of funding for prosthetics, orthotics, and post-mastectomy. Here are a few examples:
PharmaCare: A provincial government program that covers prosthetics and custom orthotics (for children under 18).
Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) for First Nations and Inuit clients.
If you have any questions regarding funding sources, please call and ask to speak to our office administrator.
DOES HAGER ORTHOPAEDIC CLINICS LTD. FIT CHILDREN (PEDIATRICS)?
Yes. The prosthetists and orthotists at Hager Orthopaedic Clinics Ltd. have lots of experience working with pediatric clients and their families.
IS HAGER ORTHOPAEDIC CLINICS LTD. WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?
Yes. We are accessible to all clientele that we provide our services to.
I LIVE A GREAT DISTANCE FROM KELOWNA, WILL HAGER ORTHOPAEDIC CLINICS LTD. EXPEDITE MY FITTING TO SAVE ME VALUABLE TRAVEL TIME?
Yes. Hager Orthopaedic Clinics Ltd. can expedite your fitting to help save you time. We will require extra planning in order to accommodate this quick turn-around time. Please phone well in advance so that the orthotist or prosthetist can re-adjust their schedule to allow for this special case.
Prosthetics
THE DOCTOR HAS TOLD ME THAT THEY MAY NEED TO AMPUTATE MY FOOT, AM I ABLE TO TALK TO SOMEBODY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Yes. The prosthetists at Hager would be happy to meet with you to discuss what happens after you lose your leg, and what to expect over the next few years. They can also help put you in touch with another amputee to help you out with some of your questions.
I RECENTLY LOST MY LEG AND WILL BE SEEN BY THE REHABILITATION DEPARTMENT AT THE KELOWNA GENERAL HOSPITAL. AM I ABLE TO STILL BE SEEN BY THE PROSTHETISTS AT HAGER?
Absolutely. The prosthetists at Hager are able to visit with you, begin the process of getting you a new leg, and assist with your rehab during your stay at the hospital. The hospital is only a short drive from our clinic and we are happy to see you there.
DOES HAGER ORTHOPAEDIC CLINICS LTD. FIT MYOELECTRIC PROSTHESES?
Yes. Our prosthetists follow the latest advances in prosthetic technology. We are able to fit our patients with some of the best myoelectric hands on the market.
DOES HAGER ORTHOPAEDIC CLINICS LTD. FIT C-LEGS?
Yes. The prosthetists at Hager Orthopaedic Clinics Ltd. have experience fitting and providing follow up care to C-leg patients. We are also trained in a variety of other microprocessor prosthetic components, such as the Proprio Foot and the Genium Knee. If there is a specific prosthetic component you are interested in, please phone Hager Orthopaedic Clinics to discuss.
DOES HAGER ORTHOPAEDIC CLINICS WORK WITH PARALYMPIC ATHLETES?
Yes. Our prosthetists and orthotists love working on creative designs to help out athletes. Our team has assisted athletes at the 2010 Winter Paralymic ski and snowboarding events in Whistler and with the IPC Para-snowboard World cup at Big White.
Orthotics
WILL HAGER ORTHOPAEDIC CLINICS LTD. SEE POST-OP PATIENTS OUTSIDE OF REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS?
Yes. We are available to fit post-op braces outside of the typical work day. To arrange this, please call our office during regular business hours and inform us of the upcoming surgical procedure.
HOW ARE YOUR FOOT ORTHOTICS MADE?
At Hager, all foot orthotics are completely designed, fabricated, and adjusted in-house. We start with a cast of your foot in a non-weight-bearing position. From there, we take your cast and make adjustments to increase support, accommodate deformity, and/or provide relief to areas of your foot. Once we are happy with the cast, we vacuum-form a variety of foams, plastics, or other materials to give the best mixture of support and comfort for you.
The foot orthotics are made to fit into your daily shoes. You will test the new orthotics in our office. At this point, adjustments such as increasing support or relieving pressure-spots may be needed. All adjustments are made while you are at our office.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE COST OF YOUR ORTHOTICS?
The initial assessment and all adjustments for the first few months are included in the cost of our orthotics.
DOES HAGER ORTHOPAEDIC CLINICS LTD. FIT KNEE BRACES?
Yes. We work with a variety of knee brace manufacturers and can fit and design braces for arthritis, torn ligaments, post-surgical, and motocross.