How Much Is a Prosthetic Leg: Cost and Pricing in 2024

07 Oct.,2024

 

How Much Is a Prosthetic Leg: Cost and Pricing in

For most amputees, it's important to understand that they will have to budget and plan expenses related to prosthetic devices for the rest of their lives. The cost of a prosthetic leg varies, with prosthetic legs ranging between $3,000 to more than $120,000 for advanced control.

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If you need lower limb prosthetics in Albuquerque & Las Cruces, PrimeCare can help - we recommend speaking to one of our specialists. In the meantime, here's a basic idea of leg prosthesis prices.

Types of Prosthetic Legs

What factors influence the cost of permanent prosthetic limbs? The type of prosthetic chosen, the features of the carbon foot, and the adjustable carbon socket are factors, as well as the brand.

Below the Knee Prosthetic Leg Cost

Transtibial prosthetics are tailored for individuals who have undergone amputations below the knee. These types of prosthetic devices generally enable a faster return to mobility, primarily because the knee joint is still intact. The cost of a prosthetic leg below the knee varies from $3,000 to $24,000, depending on the brand, the type of carbon foot, and the features of the silicone liner chosen.

Brand

Starting Price

Key Features

Ottobock

$4,000

Type of carbon foot, silicone liner

Össur

$3,750

Active vacuum system, carbon foot options

Prosthetic Leg Above Knee Cost

Transfemoral prosthetics, designed for above-the-knee amputees, replace the leg above the knee and incorporate an additional knee joint. This inclusion often means higher energy expenditure for walking. The cost for above-the-knee prosthetics ranges from $5,000 to $70,000, varying based on factors like brand, the type of joint used, and the choice of carbon foot.

Brand

Starting Price

Key Features

Ottobock 3R80

$8,500

Type of joint, carbon foot

Ottobock 3R60

$10,500

Enhanced safety and mobility, particularly on challenging surfaces such as slopes and stairs

Varieties of Prosthetic Leg Joints

Prosthetics vary primarily in their foot/ankle and knee joints.

Foot/Ankle Joints

Simpler models have a stationary foot/ankle, while others offer flexibility for smoother walking, often using materials like carbon fiber or fiberglass. More advanced models feature multi-axial movement, mimicking natural ankle motion and adjusting to uneven terrain. Microprocessor foot and ankle systems, suitable for low to moderately active amputees, provide greater clearance and automatic adjustments.

Knee Joints

These range from simple manual lock mechanisms to more complex weight-activated locks that facilitate natural walking patterns. Advanced knees controlled by microprocessor units, pneumatic or hydraulic knees, allow for dynamic movement, adjusting to varying walking speeds. Hydraulic knees, as part of the more advanced knees, are ideal for active individuals needing to navigate stairs, uneven terrains, or longer distances.

What Is the Average Cost of a Prosthetic Leg in Las Cruces?

Type of Prosthetic Leg

Average Cost of a Prosthetic Leg

Basic below-the-knee prosthetic $3,000 - $10,000 Flexible basic below-the-knee prosthetic $7,000 - $12,000 Hydraulic or mechanical assistance $20,000 - $40,000 Computerized prosthetic leg $50,000

It is only possible to estimate the price of your complete prosthetic leg once your prosthetist has listed the recommended components. Below is a rough guideline:

For Patients with Health Insurance

Are prosthetics covered by insurance? Patients with health insurance will usually have out-of-pocket costs comprising copays for doctor visits and coinsurance ranging from 10% to 50%. Most prosthetic legs are insured.

However, the exact leg that's covered will be contingent on the individual patient's amputation level, condition, and needs. The basic prosthetic leg price may be covered for homebound people who need to move around the house.

For Patients without Health Insurance

The cost of prosthetic legs can vary significantly depending on the type and extent of the amputation. For those without health insurance, a basic prosthetic leg can cost less than $10,000, while a more advanced, computerized prosthetic leg controlled by muscle movements can cost up to $70,000 or more.

Various non-profits provide financial aid or free prosthetic limbs for patients in need. The Amputee Coalition offers a list of financial resources and non-profits to minimize the burden of prosthetic leg prices.

For more lower limb prosthesis for saleinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

What Should Be Included in Prosthetic Leg Price?

Included in the cost of prosthetics are the following:

  • After amputation surgery, the patient visits a prosthetist, an expert in providing prostheses, a few weeks or months later. The prosthetist takes measurements of the patient and forms a cast of the stump to make a temporary prosthesis, which will be used for at least a year while the stump heals.
  • After the residual limb has stabilized, the patient will return to the prosthetist to discuss the different kinds of permanent prosthetics. The professional will make another cast of the stump, and then the permanent prosthetic leg will be manufactured.
  • The patient will return for a final fitting after undergoing tests with the prosthetic leg in the prosthetist's office and during their daily activities.

What Are the Extra Artificial Leg Costs?

Patients may need physical and occupational therapy to learn how to do daily tasks at home or work:

  • Physical therapy usually costs between $50 and $350 per session.
  • Occupational therapy can range from $50 to $400 per session.

The research, published in the November issue of the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, uncovered a significant finding: a shorter time frame (0-3 months) for receiving a prosthesis not only led to improved overall rehabilitation outcomes but also correlated with reduced healthcare costs.

Conclusion: Get Expert Pricing

Now that you know how much a prosthetic leg typically costs, you may wish to explore your options. At PrimeCare Orthotics & Prosthetics, we understand that everyone's prosthetic needs are unique.

Therefore, our team will work with you to determine what your insurance covers and create a solution tailored to your coverage and individual requirements. Please contact us for more information on our prosthetic leg range and insurance options.

10 Questions Doctors Should Ask About Prosthetics

10 Questions Doctors Should Ask About Prosthetics

Questions you should ask your chosen central fabrication provider.

Doctors only want the best for their patients. Thus, when choosing a prosthetist, they naturally want to find a reliable partner who can deliver the best prosthetic device for their patients. At the end of the day, prosthetics aim to improve your patients' quality of life, and this is only possible if you work with some skilled and experienced.

So, to help you, check these 10 key questions about prosthetics you should ask to find a central fabrication partner for your patients.

How long have you been in the industry?

While not directly related to fabricating prosthetics, this is still one of the most important questions about prosthetics to ask. It gives you a good idea of the company's experience in the field, which is critical to ensure that they know the best practices.

Do you have proper accreditation?

Another way to verify expertise is to ask them if they have industry accreditations. When it comes to orthotic prosthetic work, you should look out for ABC accreditation since this is the highest standard given to professionals in central fabrication.

Are your technicians certified?

Get to know more about the people who will be designing and building the prosthetics. Like the previous point, your goal is to find ABC-certified technicians with proper knowledge and qualifications for central fabrication.

What type of devices can you fabricate?

This question gives you a good idea of the range of prosthetics that a company can make. Naturally, it would be best to work with someone who can fabricate all types of devices to cater to your patients' needs. Generally, these include upper extremity, above knee, and below knee prosthetics.

How long does it take to get the prosthetics?

Fast turnaround times is an important consideration since you want to give your patients their prosthetics as early as possible. Thus, you should ask this early on to set expectations on how long it will take to get the prosthetics you order.

What do you use to make the prosthetics?

Of course, you want your patients to always get high-quality and durable prosthetics. So make sure you ask about the components and materials a company uses to see if these are industry standard.

How much do the prosthetics cost?

While it might be hard to get exact rates due to differences in each prosthetic device, you should still be able to get an estimate. This gives you a good idea of whether their services are within your budget.

How do you ensure that prosthetic devices fit properly?

Prosthetic limbs are never a one-size-fits-all since they need to be made based on a user's needs and measurements. Given this, it helps to learn about what processes or tools a company uses to get the optimal fit. The last thing you want is to have problematic devices for your patients down the line, so asking this question early can help you decide better.

Do your prosthetics look like real limbs?

The prosthetic design can vary from one maker to another. However, some patients may have concerns about how their prosthetics will look, so you can try finding a company with technologies to create realistic-looking devices. For example, some have spray skins that can replicate a patient's skin tone accurately.

What happens if there are problems with the prosthetics?

You never know when problems may arise with prosthetics, so it helps to have some form of assurance that you can repair or return them. As much as possible, find a company that offers warranty for their devices.

Contact Us Today for Your Prosthetic Needs

Grace Prosthetic Fabrication is a leading provider of central fabrication services with over 30 years of experience in the industry. With our advanced technologies, high-quality craftsmanship, and certified technicians, you can trust us to take over the fabrication work while you work with your patients' physical therapist and healthcare team.

Whatever your prosthetic needs may be, we are ready to help you. Contact us today at 1-800-940- to get answers to your questions about our prosthetics and orthotics.

For more information, please visit Prosthetic Parts Manufacturer.