Why to get a breast Prosthesis?

Spinal curvature can occur with symptoms like:

• Lower back pain
• Chest compression
• Balance Problems
• Compromised appearance of clothes

When to get a breast prosthesis?

• 4-6 weeks after surgery
• 2-3 weeks after radiation
• 3 months after chemotherapy

Temporary breast prostheses manufactured from soft silicone foam are available for wear during these periods

Fitting a prosthesis

• The prosthesis is fitted by a qualified Medical Prosthetist
• Phone for an appointment with your bra size and your last date of treatment
• When you come for a fitting wear a plain shirt and bring a loved one (for a helpful 2nd opinion)
• A selection of prostheses will be available at your fitting
• Special prosthetic bras and covers are available
• Remember partial prostheses are also available if you’re just off balance

The Breast Prosthesis

• Manufactured out of medical grade silicone
• Has a Polyurethane pocket – extremely hard wearing, high performance
• Suits any kind of skin
• Water-repellent
• Warms to body temperature in 10-20 min, although newer products are designed to keep you cool.
• Natural look and feel
• Anti-allergic
• No skin irritation

Special breast prostheses can be custom manufactured.

Mastectomy Bras

Mastectomy bras are considered the only suspension method that securely holds the breast in place. A mastectomy bra has special pockets included in the bra that prevents the prosthesis from falling out and the bra also helps keep the shape of the silicone prosthesis. The mastectomy bras are hypoallergenic and won’t rub against the scar tissue, preventing the possible formation of keloids. Its known that breast prostheses that are worn in a normal every day bras, loose their shape and generally tears quicker due to unwanted movements inside the underwear. A well-fitting mastectomy bra increases the life of the prosthesis.

When buying a bra, always ensure that the straps are wide enough and do not cut in or leave painful grooves on the shoulders. Select a bra with an underbust band which is not too narrow and does not cut in. Underwired bras should also encompass the entire breast and not cut in. It is very important that the bra you choose is made of pleasant, breathable fabrics which are comfortable against the skin and well supporting.

The anatomy of a mastectomy swimming costume

Anatomy of a good fitting Mastectomy bra

Suppliers of:

What is the lymph system?

Our bodies have a network of lymph nodes and lymph vessels that collect and carry watery, clear lymph fluid, much like veins collect blood from distant parts of the body (like the hands and arms) and carry it back to the heart. Lymph fluid contains proteins, salts, and water, as well as white blood cells, which help fight infections.

In the lymph vessels, one-way valves work with body muscles to help move the fluid through the body.

Lymph nodes are small collections of tissue that work as filters for harmful substances and help fight infection.

 What causes lymphoedema?

During surgery for breast cancer, the doctor might take out lymph nodes from under the arm to see if the cancer has spread. When lymph nodes are removed, lymph vessels that carry fluid from the arm to the rest of the body are also removed because they go through and are wrapped around the nodes.

Removing lymph nodes and vessels changes the flow of lymph fluid in that part of the body. With breast cancer, it makes it harder for fluid in the chest, breast, and arm to flow out of these areas. If the remaining lymph vessels can’t drain enough fluid from these areas, the fluid builds up and causes swelling, or lymphedema.

Radiation treatment to the underarm lymph nodes can also affect lymph fluid flow in the arm, chest, and breast area by causing scarring and damage. This further increases the risk of lymphedema.

In most cases, lymphedema develops slowly over time. The swelling can range from mild to severe. It can start soon after surgery and/or radiation treatment. But it can also start months or even many years later.

 Who gets lymphedema?

Any woman whose lymph nodes are affected by breast cancer treatment can get lymphoedema. But women who have many lymph nodes removed and women who have had radiation therapy for breast cancer have a higher risk of lymphoedema.

Doctors still don’t fully understand why some patients are more likely to have problems with fluid build-up than others.

There are things you can do to care for your arm and breast area to reduce your chances of getting it.

Once lymphedema has started, it can’t be cured. Still, early and careful management can reduce symptoms and help keep it from getting worse. In fact, some women manage their lymphoedema so well they become convinced they no longer have it.

 Signs and symptoms of lymphoedema

• Swelling in the breast, chest, shoulder, arm, or hand
• Part of your body feeling full or heavy
• Skin changing texture, feeling tight or hard, or looking red
• New aching, tingling, or other discomfort in the area
• Less movement or flexibility in nearby joints, such as your shoulder, hand, or wrist
• Trouble fitting your arm into jacket or shirt sleeves
• Your bra not fitting as well as it used to
• Your ring, watch, and/or bracelet feeling tight, and you haven’t gained weight

What to do after surgery or radiation to help reduce swelling

• Use your affected arm as you normally would when combing your hair, bathing, dressing, and eating.
• Put your affected arm above the level of your heart 2 or 3 times a day and keep it there for 45 minutes. Lie down to do this, and fully support your arm. Place your arm up on pillows so that your hand is higher than your wrist and your elbow is a little higher than your shoulder.
• Exercise your affected arm while it’s supported above the level of your heart by opening and closing your hand 15 to 25 times. Repeat this 3 to 4 times a day. This helps reduce swelling by pumping lymph fluid out of your arm through the undamaged lymph vessels.
• Talk to your doctor, nurse, or physical therapist before doing any exercises. Exercise is an important part of fitness, but you need time to heal after surgery and should follow the advice of your cancer care team.
• Try to get to and/or stay at a healthy weight.
• Exercise.
• Use your affected arm as normally as you can. Once you are fully healed.
• If your arm starts to ache, lie down and raise it above the level of your heart.
• Avoid vigorous, repeated activities.
• Avoid heavy lifting or pulling.
• Use your unaffected arm or both arms to carry heavy packages, groceries, handbags, or children.
• Have your blood drawn, IVs, and shots done in your unaffected arm if you can.
• Keep your hands and cuticles soft and moist by regularly using moisturising lotion or cream. Push your cuticles back with a cuticle stick rather than cutting them with scissors.
• Keep your arm clean. Clean and protect any skin breaks caused by cuts, scratches, insect bites, hangnails, or torn cuticles.
• Wear protective gloves with sleeves when doing household chores that use harsh chemical cleansers or steel wool, when gardening or doing yard work, and when working with animals that might scratch or bite.
• Wear a thimble when sewing to cut down on needle and pin pricks to your fingers.
• Be extra careful when shaving your underarms, and use a clean razor on clean skin.
• Use an insect repellent to help prevent bug bites when outdoors. If you’re bit or stung on the affected arm, clean and put ice on the area and raise the arm. Keep it clean, and call your cancer care team if the bite or sting shows any signs of infection.
• Do what you can to protect yourself against falls and fractured bones.
• Try to avoid burns and extreme temperatures.
• Avoid high heat, such as from hot tubs and saunas. If you use a heating pad or ice pack on the affected areas, limit the length of time you use it until you know how your body responds. Both heat and cold can damage tissues and increase fluid build-

 Use of compression garments

Compression garments are fitted sleeves that can help control lymphedema. They can help prevent or reduce swelling by moving lymph fluid from the arm back into the body.

Careful fitting is needed, and you should follow your health care professional’s advice on use and care of the garment. Compression garments are most often used by women who already have lymphoedema. But if you’re at risk for lymphedema, you might want to use one to help lower your risk in certain situations. For instance, lymphoedema has been linked with air travel, possibly because of air pressure changes, but there are pros and cons to using a compression garment on long or frequent airplane flights. Ask your doctor or therapist if you should be fitted for a sleeve to wear during air travel.

Do not use a poorly fitting sleeve under any circumstances. This may increase your risk for or worsen lymphoedema.

You usually don’t need a compression garment to prevent lymphedema during exercise.

The manufacture of digital prosthesis

Prostheses are held in place either by:

• Biocompatible drying adhesives
• Osseointegrated implants
• Close contact suction with anatomical undercuts
• Glove structures

Prostheses are designed to be as similar as possible to the natural anatomy of each individual. Their purpose is to cover, protect, and disguise disfigurements or underdevelopments.
When surgical reconstruction is not ideal, prostheses are favoured when they can better restore the form of the absent feature. Finger functions, proprioception and grip has not been perfected yet but with the ideal circumstances these can be achieved in some way as well.

Prostheses are normally manufacture form a medical grade silicone and can range in hardness according to the size and function.
It is a removable device and care should be taken to ensure its longevity.  The prosthetist will educate you on cleaning methods and care procedures.
The prosthesis is a replaceable item and should be replaced every 18months to 2 years depending on your lifestyle constraints.  So it is important to know that rehabilitation with a prosthesis is a life time commitment and that one prosthesis will not last for life.

How does the process work?

1. Consultation

In the first consultation with the prosthetist you will discuss the treatment and prescription plan

2. Impression Taking

A soft impression material is used to take an impression of the affected side as well as the other side.

3. Sculpting/Designing

A prototype is sculpted and fitted to make sure that the size, shape and position is correct, and of course of the patient is happy with it.

A prototype is sculpted and fitted to make sure that the size, shape and position is correct, and of course of the patient is happy with it.

4. Color Matching

The patient should come in again for the mixing of the silicone so that the colour matches can be made accurately.

5. External tinting

After the prosthesis has been manufactured it should be finally colour matched on the outside as well and to make sure that the margins match.

6. Delivery

Your prosthesis and its proper use will be carefully demonstrated

Examples of work

The manufacture of Toe prostheses

Prostheses are designed to be as similar as possible to the natural anatomy of each individual. Their purpose is to cover, protect, and disguise disfigurements or underdevelopments.

When surgical reconstruction is not ideal, prostheses are favoured when they can better restore the form of the absent feature. Toe functions and grip has not been perfected yet but with the ideal circumstances these can be achieved in some way as well.

Prostheses are normally manufacture form a medical grade silicone and can range in hardness according to the size and function.

It is a removable device and care should be taken to ensure its longevity. The prosthetist will educate you on cleaning methods and care procedures.

The prosthesis is a replaceable item and should be replaced every 18months to 2 years depending on your lifestyle constraints. So it is important to know that rehabilitation with a prosthesis is a life time commitment and that one prosthesis will not last for life.

How does the process work?

1. Consultation/Evaluation

In the first consultation with the prosthetist you will discuss the treatment and prescription plan.

2. Impression Taking

A soft impression material is used to take an impression of the affected side as well as the other side.

3. Sculpting/Designing

A prototype is sculpted and fitted to make sure that the size, shape and position is correct, and of course of the patient is happy with it.

4. Color Matching

The patient should come in again for the mixing of the silicone so that the colour matches can be made accurately.

5. External Tinting

After the prosthesis has been manufactured it should be finally colour matched on the outside as well and to make sure that the margins match.

6. Delivery

Your prosthesis and its proper use will be carefully demonstrated

Examples of work

Rehabilitating psychologically as well as physically, restoring facial appearance as well as function.
Craniofacial prostheses are prostheses made by individuals trained in anaplastology, prosthetics or maxillofacial prosthodontics who medically help rehabilitate those suffering from facial defects caused by disease (mostly progressed forms of skin cancer, and head and neck cancer), trauma (outer ear trauma, eye trauma) or birth defects (microtia, anophthalmia). They have the ability to replace almost any part of the face, but most commonly is the ear, nose or eye/eyelids. An ocular prosthesis and hair prosthesis can also be classified as craniofacial prostheses.

Prostheses are held in place either by:

• Biocompatible drying adhesives
• Osseointegrated implants
• Mechanical form such as glasses or straps

Prostheses are designed to be as similar as possible to the natural anatomy of each individual. Their purpose is to cover, protect, and disguise facial disfigurements or underdevelopments.
When surgical reconstruction is not ideal, craniofacial prosthetics are favoured when they can better restore the form and function of the absent facial feature. Craniofacial prosthetics are not wholly considered cosmetic, because they replace the physical form and functional mechanics of the absent anatomy and serve a significant role in the emotional stability and rehabilitation of those suffering from facial defects.

Prostheses are normally manufacture form a medical grade silicone and can range in hardness according to the size and function.
It is a removable device and care should be taken to ensure its longevity.  The prosthetist will educate you on cleaning methods and care procedures.
The prosthesis is a replaceable item and should be replaced every 18months to 2 years depending on your lifestyle constraints.  So it is important to know that rehabilitation with a prosthesis is a life time commitment and that one prosthesis will not last for life.

How does the process work?

1. Consultation/Evaluation:

In the first consultation with the prosthetist you will discuss the treatment and prescription plan.

2. Impression Taking:

A soft impression material is used to take an impression of the affected side as well as the other side.  It would also be helpful if there is a family member with similar ears to be taken an impression of as well for a “donor ear”.

3. Sculpting/Designing:
A prototype is sculpted and fitted to make sure that the size, shape and position is correct, and of course of the patient is happy with it.

4. Color Matching:
The patient should come in again for the mixing of the silicone so that the colour matches can be made accurately.

5. External Tinting:
After the prosthesis has been manufactured it should be finally colour matched on the outside as well and to make sure that the margins match.

6. Delivery and Instructions:
Your prosthesis and its proper use will be carefully demonstrated

Examples of work

This ‘cosmetic camouflage’ covers all, from skin anomalies to tattoos. Waterproof and recommended by dermatologist, it’s the perfect formula for anyone who feels self-conscious about their skin.

We adhere to the principles of Osseointegration, a term founded by Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark after his important breakthrough in the 1950s when he discovered that bone can integrate with titanium components.

Professor Brånemark named his discovery from the Latin word os – which means bone, and integrate – which means make whole, which can also be expressed as interactive coexistence.

A titanium screw-shaped implant – fixture – is carefully placed in the bone and – amazingly enough – the genetic code that commonly makes bone reject a foreign material is not activated. Instead nature allows bone cells to attach to the titanium surface and the result is a firm and permanent anchorage for a prosthetic reconstruction.

Osseoperception

Osseointegration is a living process. The fixtures are inserted under controlled conditions without load-related relative motion. They are usually allowed to integrate during a 3-6 months healing period.

Once Osseointegrated, the fixtures are connected to the prosthetic replacement and consequent forces are transmitted via the fixtures to the surrounding bone. The bone responds by initiating a continuous process during which it remodels itself to a state of balance around the implants.

The fixture becomes part of body and mind

Through this normal biological activity, the fixtures not only become part of the body – but also of the mind. Professor Brånemark has named this mental acceptance osseoperception

Osseoperception is particularly valuable when bone anchored prosthetic replacements communicate with the mind in order to enable restored function. One example involves a patient who can pick up a key using a bone-anchored thumb prosthesis

Heel – Plantar Fasciitis

Symptoms

Sharp burning or stabbing pain in the heel, especially in the morning, after sitting or standing still for a long time
Pain eases after walking for a period of time
Heel spurs

How an innersole can correct the problem
By restoring the shape of both arches of the foot the muscle (Plantar Fascia) can relax and the inflammation will start subsiding

Achilles Tendonitis

Symptoms

Piercing and burning sensation at the back of the heel
Diminishes after activity

How an innersole can correct the problem

A wedge under the heel will give the Achilles minimise excessive movement if the achilles which would assist with the healing of the inflammation of the tendon

Ankle Pain

Symptoms

Over pronation (foot falling in)
Flat feet

How an innersole can correct the problem

An arch support would support the arch and resist the foot falling in to diminish excessive movement of the ankle

Ball of foot – Metatarsalgia

Symptoms

• Ache in ball of foot
• Burning sensation
• Numbing of toes
• Calluses
• Hammer toes

Morton’s Neuroma

Symptoms

• Pain and swelling between 3rd and 4th toes
• Sharp burning pain
• Possible separation of affected toes

How an innersole can correct the problem (Ball of foot problems)

A well placed pad behind the metatarsal bones will restore the transverse arch and relief the excess pressure on the bones

Leg-Shin Splints

Symptoms

• Symptoms Pain along the front of the lower leg
• Occurs more in teenagers and young adults
• Occurs during high activity
• Illiotibial Band Syndrome (ITB)

Symptoms

• Pain along outside of knee and thigh
• How an innersole can correct the problem (Leg Pain)
• Correct over pronation in mid-foot and maintain neutral foot position

Knee – Knock Knees and bow legs

Symptoms

• Common in children with flat feet
• How an innersole can correct the problem
• Correct flat feet to obtain correct knee to ankle alignment

Lower back

Symptoms

• Tiredness or dull back ache after prolong standing
• Prevalent in middle age or later in life
• Excessive pronation causing lumbar loading
• How an innersole can correct the problem
• Correcting pronation would ease lumbar loading

Diabetic foot

Symptoms

• Lack of sensation or hyper sensation
• Poor blood circulation
• Poor healing ability
• Forms ulcers easier on higher pressure area
• Prolonged healing

How an innersole can correct the problem

Innersoles can be designed to make sure that no excessive pressure is placed on the foot and that the forces of the foot is distributed equally through the whole foot

Diabetic Shoes
Diabetic shoes are also known as extra depth or therapeutic shoes. They are specially designed to reduce the risk of skin breakdown in diabetics with co-existing foot disease. The primary goal of therapeutic footwear is to prevent complications, which can include strain, ulcers, calluses, or even amputations for patients with diabetes and poor circulation. Neuropathy can also change the shape of a person’s feet. The diabetic shoes and custom-moulded inserts work together as a preventative system to help diabetics avoid foot injuries and improve mobility.

Start wearing your new insoles gradually

Insoles enhance foot muscle function. During the first week of use you may experience mild discomfort as your muscles adapt. If necessary, only wear the insoles for a few hours a day at first, gradually increasing the time worn each day. After one week, please visit us for a follow up so we can make sure everything is working the way it should after that you can start wearing the insoles as much as possible throughout the day, every day.

Regularly wearing your insoles is better for your body

By properly supporting your foot, insoles help align your entire body, so you get the most benefit when you wear them consistently. To wear your insoles daily simply transfer them between your shoes or get multiple pairs.  If you are wearing full length try remove the pre-existing factory insoles before inserting your new insoles, otherwise wear them on top if the shoe space allows.  A ¾ innersole can be worn underneath the pre-existing innersole for extra comfort or on top.

Care Instructions

With proper care insoles can be expected to last twelve months.  We recommend having your feet scanned once a year to follow up on any changes and refreshing your innersoles.   Like any footwear, the life of the insoles depends on how often they are worn, the intensity of the activity used for, and how well they are cared for.
You can prolong the life of your insoles by keeping them clean and dry. To clean your insoles, brush them clean or wipe them lightly with a damp cloth. Do not soak the insoles. Do not machine wash or dry the insoles; nor dry clean. Do not expose the insoles to excessive heat, for example do not dry them on top of a radiator or by a camp fire or stove. And please don’t leave them in the car.