Medical Art Prosthetics gives you the choice of working with our anaplastologists in more major cities than ever.
If you need a fingertip prosthesis or partial finger prosthetic these can be done in just a few days. Others may need just a few more days or fitting sessions.
We are closer so you can now receive a:
- prosthetic fingertip
- full-length finger prosthesis
- thumb prosthesis
- partial hand prosthesis
- hand prosthetic with articulating fingers
- passive silicone below-elbow restoration
Learn about how we can create custom finger or hand prosthetics for you.
Penny's Story
Read more of Penny’s Story on cosmopolitan.com
The last piece of the puzzle to putting humpy dumpty back together again were my fingers. Pam had found a medical artist on the internet named Greg Gion, MMS, CCA. Jeff took me there on a hot summer day, we were set to meet our friends at the pool of our summer club afterwards.
Greg greeted us in his satellite office some 25 miles away. I was wisp thin still but beginning to look more human than skeletal, I was wearing white jeans a black tshirt and a giant black straw hat over my long wig. He seemed mildly surprised by the sight of me. I might have looked more glamorous than I felt. Who knows, I was inwardly curious what kind of people Greg meets in his profession of reconstructing fingers and ears. Greg is lovely, a true artist with big green sensitive eyes and longish brown hair.
As is Greg’s style he deftly studied each finger with trancelike intensity. I was sitting there twitching in discomfort. My new prosthetic hurt to sit in and the jeans were tight against the cast. My right foot was on fire and I had to kick off that shoe minutes turned into hours as we bid Greg goodbye and drove off into the hot sun to meet my friends. Jeff had the top down on his small sports car, I normally love the feel of a convertible and love the feel of the wind in my hair and the sun on my face. I also was eager to see my best friends and lay down on a lawn chair. What should have been a 30 minute ride now turned into a bumper to bumper snail pace of a hot ride, the sun actually severing through my jeans and burning the rubber sleeve on my leg. I actually started to scream and swear and cry, this was actually normal given my circumstances and long overdue but unsettled poor Jeff who had not seen me in such a state and is deeply affected by my moods. 1 hour and 10 minutes later we shakily walked into the pool area and over to my girlfriends. They took one look at me and proceeded to soothe me with their loving empathy and understanding.
Eventually, I got my fingers, the last piece of the puzzle, and they were truly a masterpiece, done with loving precision by the perfectionist, Greg. Since then I have referred Greg to a family that I mentored. Greg is a soft spoken, fair and honest person who is truly in his field to help people in very unfortunate circumstances . His price is less than 1/3 of the few others in that profession but his workmanship is a tour de force. We really respect and appreciate Greg. It’s rare to find someone of his skill and integrity. It™s a shame there are not more of him in the medical field.
We understand that how your hand looks is very important to you. We also understand that you want your finger prosthetics to flex again so you have more natural function restored.
We will patiently discuss all options with you that promise your greatest success and satisfaction.
These may include:
- Lifelike silicone fingertip prosthesis
- Complete adhesive retained thumb prosthesis
- Partial suction-fit finger/thumb prosthesis
- Multiple finger prosthetics with ring or silicone suspension
- Partial hand restoration prosthesis – “fits like a glove”
- Articulating/ratcheting finger systems (Point Designs)
- Body-Driven finger prosthetics (Naked Prosthetics)
- Livingskin Prosthetics (Ossur)
Frequently Asked Questions
Most individual prosthetic fingers can be completed in just 3 days if you travel and stay near our office for the 2 or 3 fitting sessions. Multiple finger or partial hand prostheses might require 2 or 3 separate trips. We are very flexible and have other fabrication options that can decrease your appointments and costs.
No. A lifelike silicone prosthesis is not implanted under your skin or attached permanently – it must be taken off regularly to be washed and to maintain the cleanliness and health of your skin.
Most fingertip or partial finger prostheses are securely retained by a “suction fit” as they are pushed onto the residual finger. Complete finger or partial hand amputation uses a silicone strap or band to secure the prosthesis.
We go over all the methods that will work best for you and your intended use of your prosthesis. Then we make the decision together.
In general, we recommend that you remove your prosthesis at night for cleaning and to allow your skin to breathe. Some patients then learn from experience that they can adjust their wearing schedule. We provide personalized wear and care instructions for each client.
Almost all silicone prostheses are washed daily using isopropyl alcohol, detergent soaps like Dawn or Dove, and then rinsed, and kept dry when not in use. However, each prosthesis is unique and might require special precautions. Ultimately, we will walk you through your daily care plan and provide specific instructions tailored to your unique prosthesis.
The cost of a lifelike prosthetic finger or thumb will depend on many factors including the number of fingers involved, level of amputation, how the finger or thumb prosthesis will be suspended/attached, etc. We also take other circumstances into account if you want added function for hobbies, sports, or playing musical instruments.
There is a wide range of fees depending on how many fingers are remaining and how many prosthetic fingers or thumb need to be incorporated into the prosthetic hand, if there are alignment challenges, and how the prosthesis will be suspended. The prosthetist or anaplastologist may also propose other fabrication options to decrease patient costs and appointment obligations.
It is possible that your insurance will cover some or all the costs. After we receive your permission and insurance information our insurance specialist will help determine the level of coverage of your insurance plan.
Please do not assume that you cannot afford your prosthesis. We will help you determine if any insurance or 3d party payment sources are available to you. There are also credit options in some cases, like Care Credit. This is our dedicated specialty, and we will try to create a plan for you if possible.
Most providers of custom silicone prosthetics generally agree that prostheses last 2-5 years before needing replacement or some maintenance servicing such as retinting or margin repair work. However, many of our clients go several years longer before returning to get a replacement prosthesis. Sometimes they need the prosthesis redesigned because of significant tissue changes from growing or surgeries.
No. It is much cheaper because we process the new silicone prosthesis from the precision mold that we made for your first prosthesis. The cost is often less than half the original cost. We can also create your duplicate/replacement prosthesis in just one or two days. Our MAP network means we can transfer your mold to a MAP team member if you move.
Possibly. If you cannot travel, you can send your prosthesis and we will try to work from photos and detailed notes that you provide to make repairs, changes, or duplicate prostheses. Of course, there are some compromises when we cannot work directly with you face-to-face. However, we will try to make you happy with our in-office service or from a distance when necessary.
