Innovacion Ortopedica Laboratorio - Fitting prostheses

Yesterday we were able to go to a clinic that makes prosthetic limbs, and watch some patients be fitted for new prostheses.  This company has received help from the Humanitarian missionaries here, so we were invited to see. 

The economics of a country and people influence many decisions.  Generally speaking a below knee amputation is better for function and mobility than an above knee amputation.  An above knee, however, is cheaper and heals faster...so what do you suppose a poor person gets?  Likewise, when bones are badly broken, requiring expensive rods or external fixation for months, or a quick amputation(that is much cheaper), what do you suppose happens?  So this country has one of the highest rates of amputation in the world.

A below knee mold is formed with
plaster cast.

A child's foot

Applying the plaster rolls to make an
 upper leg mold.



A job well done.