Hilli’s story
I have been a prosthesis wearer for half a century now. I have functioned reasonably well with my prosthetic legs for many years. I am a visual artist and teacher, have an active life and a standing profession. I have also always traveled a lot. I always had a lot of wounds in my groin, but I kept going. I simply just want to do things and not always be busy with the prosthesis and be limited by that. Over time, however, my hips and back started to bother me a lot, and it took a lot of energy and pain to continue living my life as used to and desired.
C-leg
In 2012 I was ready for a new prosthesis and I had heard about the C-leg. That gave me a lot of hope for better and easier functioning in the future. Strangely enough, in order to qualify for this computer-controlled knee, I had to follow an extensive rehabilitation process in a rehabilitation center as a ballot. I didn’t need rehabilitation at all, but I wanted that knee, so I adapted to that process. During that trajectory I didn’t have the C-leg yet; this was just the preliminary stage. This was followed by a short trial period of 12 days with the C-leg, which was not really representative. To make matters worse, the health insurer rejected the C-leg after all those efforts. That unleashed a lot of anger in me: first finance such an expensive rehabilitation process and then reject a C-leg for financial reasons. I didn’t leave it at that and eventually got a C-leg.
Bad alignment
To my great surprise, I couldn’t handle it at all. It seemed as if the prosthesis was misaligned and the lower leg was behind the upper leg. After so many years of experience with a prosthesis, you feel it. However, my instrument maker insisted that this feeling was wrong, that this belonged to the C-Leg. So I muddled through. You simply adapt to the circumstances. In the end, the C-leg didn’t offer me what I expected. I already suspected that this had to do with the alignment, but I was not listened to properly.
Hilli is happy that she was finally asked what she wanted with her prosthesis.
Advice
In the end I decided to ask Protec for advice. I found it difficult to tell this to my instrument makers. You have built up an intense bond with them. To my amazement I was able to get in the day after I called. I fell off my chair in surprise. At all my previous instrument makers I had to wait at least one or two weeks before there was space for me. After that I fell from one pleasant surprise to another here. During the first appointment I mentioned that I did not like the alignment of the prosthesis. After a short check, the instrument maker found out that this was indeed the case. So it was immediately clear here. My feeling had not failed me.
I was the focus here
What I found perhaps most impressive was that the prosthetist asked me what I wanted with the prosthesis, what type of person I was and what my day-to-day life looked like. No one had ever asked me that before! It was about me and not about the prosthesis. The prosthesis was immediately realigned and a new socket was made. I was also advised to wear a liner, because I always suffered from inflamed hair follicles and wounds in my groin. This has also turned out to be a huge improvement. I found the people very knowledgeable, decisive and customer-friendly. At first the intention was that I would go back to my own instrument workshop with the advice, but I wanted to stay. I am happy to travel the 170 km.
We are only happy when you are
"When I entered Protec that first time, I was amazed. I was met at the door by the instrument maker in a very modern building. There was an enormous peace, there was no rush at all, it was friendly and soon felt "own". The conversation was extensive, I was asked about my history and the things I now encounter in functioning with my prosthesis."
Read Annet's story
"It turned out that I had leukemia and efforts were made to save my legs using various treatments. However, it ultimately became clear that saving my left leg was not feasible. After many issues with my previous prosthesis provider, I requested a second opinion at De Hoogstraat Orthopedics/Protec. Finally, I am in the right place."
Read Aad's story
"In my arms and legs, dystrophy developed, and to make matters worse, I started suffering from thromboses. I was an independent dance teacher, had a wonderful and free life with my son, and suddenly I lost my freedom and independence. After years of being unable to walk, at Protec, I managed to start walking on two below-the-knee prosthetics within a week. I felt so lucky! I could have never imagined that it would feel this good."
Read Carla's story
