What to Expect as a New Patient
- Prescription Required
A valid referral or prescription and chart notes is needed before your first visit. - Initial Consultation
You will meet with your clinician to discuss goals, review your medical history, and evaluate your prescription. Measurements may be taken using scans or molds to prepare for your custom device. - During Your Visit
Your practitioner will consider your lifestyle, activity level, and healing goals to help design the best orthotic or prosthetic device for you. - After Your Visit
We work with your insurance team to secure authorization, provide cost estimates, and schedule fabrication or follow-up appointments.
What to Bring
- Valid photo ID
- Insurance information (all cards if you’re covered under multiple plans)
- Prescription or referral and notes from your healthcare provider
Prosthetic & Orthotic Care Process
- Comprehensive Evaluation
Biomechanical assessment and gait/posture analysis. - Custom Impression or Scan
Captures your anatomy for precise device fit. - Diagnostic Fitting
Transparent test device for user feedback and adjustment. - Custom Fabrication
Devices constructed using advanced materials suited to your needs. - Education & Training
Guidance on donning, break-in schedule, and care. - Follow-up Support
Regular check-ins to ensure fit, comfort, and long-term function.
Patient Support & Resources
- Billing & Insurance Assistance
We assist with claim preparation, preauthorizations, and appeals. - Local and National Resources
Guidance to community programs, support groups, and educational materials. - Out-of-Town Patient Support
Coordination for patients traveling for care or requiring shipping arrangements.
Why Choose Prosthetics & Orthotics Designs?
- Over 25 years of expertise in prosthetic and orthotic care, specializing in both mobility and comfort.
- Technology-driven treatments, including direct socket fabrication, microprocessor joints, and 3D-fit personalization.
- A bilingual, interdisciplinary team that supports you from your first appointment through long-term follow-up.
How Your Custom Prosthesis or Orthosis is Made
Evaluation
Your doctor and/or therapist will determine that you require a prosthesis and/or orthosis. You will either visit with Jon in his office or he may come and see you, depending on whether you are home or in a facility. When you meet, he will ask you several questions regarding your health, living situation, functional abilities and what your prosthetic/orthotic goals are. He will also test your strength and range of motion in the joints of your extremities and inspect the condition of the extremity. Lastly, he may evaluate your gait, if appropriate to determine any gait deviations or abnormalities that could potentially be corrected with the proper orthosis and/or prosthesis. Following the evaluation, Jon will determine what type of device will be needed for the prescription. We would then send a detailed written order request to your doctor for their review and signature. Following receipt of the prescription and the doctor’s chart notes, indicating the need for the device, we would then contact your insurance provider to start the authorization process. This may take several weeks before a determination is complete.
Impression Process
Following receipt of the authorization, Jon would take an impression and measurements for the prosthesis/orthosis, either in the office, at your residence or facility, depending on the situation. The impression will be done with either plaster or fiberglass casting tape.
Diagnostic Fitting of a Prosthesis
After Jon modifies the cast, a prosthetic diagnostic socket would be fabricated and the components, like a knee and/or foot will be added. One or two diagnostic fittings would be scheduled either in the office, at your residence or at a facility, depending on the situation, to achieve an optimal fit for the prosthesis. During the fitting, you be required to stand and ambulate with the diagnostic prosthesis, to determine the fit on function of the prosthesis.
Delivery of The Orthosis and/or Prosthesis
During this visit, you will receive your custom orthosis and/or prosthesis and any necessary supplies needed to utilize the new device. If there are any last-minute adjustments required, they will be performed during this visit.
Follow-up Visits
Orthotics – The only follow-up visits required for an orthosis, would be if you experience any discomfort or signs of lingering redness from the orthosis.
Prosthetics – Jon will need to see you one week after the initial receipt of your prosthesis, to answer any questions or concerns after wearing the device for a week and also to re-educate any instructions provided, they may have been forgotten, at the time of delivery. A 1-month follow-up visit will be required to make sure that there aren’t any issues with the prosthesis or supplies. Routine, 6-month follow-up visits will be required, to ensure that the prosthesis is still fitting and functioning properly and to check and document your current weight. At these visits, it may be necessary to replace any textiles that may have deteriorated after continual, daily use.
Crafting Confidence Through Every Step
Each prosthetic fitting is a blend of precision, care, and collaboration. These photos capture Jon Hess working closely with a patient to ensure the perfect fit—restoring comfort, balance, and mobility through expert craftsmanship and compassionate support.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether you’re exploring prosthetic options or seeking expert support, our team is here to help you move forward with comfort and confidence. Schedule a consultation to discuss your goals and discover the personalized care we provide at Prosthetic & Orthotic Designs.