“The things that make me different,
are the things that make me, me.”
—Piglet

 
 
 

Your Child’s Prosthetic Journey

As your child grows and their limb changes, so will their goals, needs, and priorities. We work with you to ensure that your child’s independence and aspirations are not limited by their limb difference.

Along with providing care for patients of all ages, Barber Prosthetics Clinic specializes in working with children with congenital and acquired limb differences. With 30+ years of experience working with pediatric patients and a strong working relationship with the team at BC Children’s Hospital, our care is tailored specifically to meet the unique needs of children and their families as they grow with their prosthesis. We strive to create a fun, safe, environment for patients and their families and to build relationships that will last a lifetime. We have had the pleasure of working with many of our patients from a young age into adulthood and have adjusted their prostheses to meet their changing needs.

  • 1. Meeting Your Care Team

    Your child’s relationship with their prosthetist is an important connection that can span decades. We recognize that this may be a scary and unknown process for you and your child and will work hard to provide a safe, comfortable space.

  • 2. Assessment & Prescription

    We collaborate with doctors and surgeons at BC Children’s Hospital to ensure that our treatments are congruent with your child’s growth and overall interdisciplinary care plan.

    A Certified Prosthetist will develop an appropriate care plan based on your child’s unique presentation and needs. There are many options for each aspect of your child’s prosthesis, and your prosthetist will work with you to determine which is the most appropriate at the time. As their needs and presentation change, so may some elements of their prosthesis.

  • 3. Funding Submissions

    We support our patients through the administrative processes to ensure appropriate funding and support are in place. Our team will assist you in registering for helpful resources and will work with you to ensure that smooth and efficient care is provided throughout each stage of your child’s journey.

  • 4. Casting

    Once your child’s care team has determined that a prosthesis is appropriate for your child and all paperwork has been completed, it’s time for casting! Your prosthetist will work with your child to obtain a plaster mold of their limb, which is then used to fabricate a unique socket fit. We make the process as fun, safe, and inclusive as possible for your child.

    Be sure to bring a spare set of clothes, as this process can get messy!

  • 5. Fabrication

    Once an appropriate cast is taken, the behind-the-scenes work begins to fabricate your child’s prosthesis. The process involves multiple stages of fabrication using various techniques and materials.

  • 6. Diagnostic Fitting

    The initial fitting appointment will be an exciting day, with lots to learn. You and your child will be introduced to the new prosthesis and an appropriate fit and alignment will be determined by your prosthetist. The prosthesis is in a “trial” stage and may require adjustments before it can be finalized. There will be a lot of information to cover, and your prosthetist will ensure that you and your child are comfortable with all aspects of the prosthesis before taking it home.

  • Follow-up & Adjustments

    As your child begins to use their prosthesis they will likely require adjustments to the fit and/or alignment to ensure it remains as comfortable and functional as possible.

  • Growing with a Prosthesis

    While all attempts are made to maximize the lifespan of your child’s prosthetic device, frequent adjustments and replacements will be required as they grow. Along with the socket itself, your child may require changes to their interface, suspension, and components as their goals, needs, and priorities change.

    As your child ages, they are encouraged to gain independence in their prosthetic care. It is important that your child learns to communicate with their prosthetic care team, as this leads to optimal patient care. Encourage them to share their concerns, questions, ideas, and requests with their prosthetist as their needs and priorities change.

Resources

The answers you need, all in one place.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The decision and timing of whether or not your child needs a prosthesis is unique to each situation. Most leg amputees use a prosthesis for daily mobility and function while some may use other mobility aids. Some arm amputees may use a prosthesis full time, while others may use one for specific tasks or not at all.

  • The readiness of a child for prosthetic use is based on milestones and needs rather than specific timelines. The use of a prosthesis should match an individual’s needs based on their level of functional development (independent sitting, grasping, crawling, standing, walking, etc.) and should always be used to help, rather than hinder, their function, independence, and discovery. A prosthesis is therefore a tool rather than a mandatory device. If the prosthesis does not provide a noticeable benefit to your child, they are likely to reject it—and that is OK! If your child is originally not interested in using a prosthesis, it is never too late to revisit the possibility.

    As your child discovers new hobbies or goals and finds that they are challenged by their limb difference, your prosthetic care team is always available to design and create a device to help them reach their goal.

  • Contact your prosthetist if you begin to note any of the following, as it may be time for an adjustment or replacement:

    - You note redness or irritation on the skin of the residual limb
    - Your child notes pain or tenderness on their limb
    - Your child begins to show signs of rejecting or not wanting to wear their prosthesis
    - You see signs of cracks in the socket or components
    - You hear noises (creaks, ticks, or squeaks) coming from the socket or components
    - Your child experiences a sudden change in height and/or weight
    - You note asymmetries in posture, suggesting the prosthesis needs to be lengthened

Barber’s Prosthetic Guide

Pediatric Edition

It’s important to us that we be a helpful source of information, both for current pediatric patients, inquiring parents, and our fellow industry partners. We’re working hard to curate a comprehensive guide that is 100% free, accessible 24/7 and will answer many detailed aspects about your prosthetic journey.

Check back here soon for a Table of Contents and PDF links!

Types of Pediatric Prostheses

  • Lower Limb Congenital

    Prostheses are not necessarily required for crawling. In fact, they can often interfere with it, so lower limb devices are often introduced when a child begins to attempt to “pull to stand”. Prosthetic knees, when required, are introduced when a child has the strength and understanding to control the knee and is tall enough to have space for a knee component.

  • Upper Limb Congenital

    An upper limb prosthesis may be introduced, but is not always necessary, when a child begins to sit independently. They may begin with a “passive” device to assist with balance and bi-manual tasks and can transition to a prehensile device as they begin to reach and grasp at objects.

    There are many different types of upper limb prosthetic devices. We can help you navigate the options and determine what may be most appropriate for your child as their needs and presentation change.

  • Acquired Amputations

    A child with an acquired amputation may be fit with a prosthesis once the limb has sufficiently healed and they have regained the strength and range of motion required to safely use a prosthesis. It can be beneficial to include your prosthetic care team in the early stages of discussion or healing so that preparations can be made for early fitting.

Prosthetic Options

  • Cosmetic

    The prosthesis appearance and finishing can give your child an opportunity to reflect their personal interests and style in the design. Your child will be encouraged to express themselves through their prosthesis and your prosthetic team will work hard to provide an aesthetic “finishing” that your child can wear with pride. For some, this involves a unique anatomical shape, colour, and appearance. For others this may include sparkles, cartoons, or logos of a favourite sports team.

  • Recreational Activities

    Often, a single prosthesis is unable to meet all of your child’s needs. In such cases, your prosthetic care team may prescribe a primary, everyday prosthesis as well as recreational device(s). These can include, but are not limited to: running legs, swim legs, bike arms, and cosmetic/passive devices.

    While a limb difference may affect one’s ability to participate in some sporting and recreational activities, sporting devices and adaptive programs may enable your child to participate in extracurricular activities. Encourage your child to explore what interests them. If you find they have difficulty participating to their full potential, talk to us about organizations and/or devices that might help.

  • Amputee Reading

    The War Amps offers a line of storybooks featuring amputee characters such as Taylor Turtle. These can be accessed through the War Amps website. Other commercially published booked featuring amputee characters include:

    - When Charley met Emma
    - I am Sheriauna
    - This is me

    More picture books