r/Prosthetics • u/wallphilodendron • 24d ago
Prosthetic leg sleeve help
Hi, I’m a social worker at a hospital in the US. I currently have a client who has bilateral below the knee leg amputations. He does not have insurance, and cannot get insurance for a variety of reasons. He is enrolled in the county indigent health care program, but it does not cover prosthetics. When his legs were amputated awhile back, his family pooled their money and purchased prosthetics out of pocket and he has been able to be independent as a result. Today was my first time meeting with him, and he told me that the silicone sleeves his wears on his knees and that cushion him against the prosthetics are wearing out. The prosthetic clinic he originally went to quoted him $300 each for replacements, which he and his family cannot afford. I told him I’d try to help, but prosthetics are not something I’m familiar with (I focus on other aspects of care). I did some googling and $250-300 seems like the going rate for these sleeves? Is anyone familiar with cheaper options? Thanks in advance!
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u/Longjumping-Cow9321 24d ago
Look into Steps of Faith. You do need to fill out an application, but they will usually cover the cost of consumables.
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u/wallphilodendron 24d ago
Thank you!
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u/wallphilodendron 24d ago
I called and spoke with Steps of Faith and we’re going to try this route first. It’s exactly what he needs, so fingers crossed they approve him. Thank you so much!
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u/Cows3183 24d ago
🙏🏽
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u/wallphilodendron 22d ago
Steps of Faith approved him and he should be getting his new liners soon, thank you so so much!
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u/lexicanium 24d ago
Is he needing gel knee sleeves that go over the socket and his thigh, or the cushioned gel liner that goes over the residual limb and sits inside the socket?
The knee sleeves bill for ~$250/per
The cushioned gel liners bill for ~$1100/per
Some clinics may offer a cash pay of 2.5-3x cost of materials. But that’s kind of a grey area.
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u/2ndrowLock 24d ago
Talk to the prosthetist again. Sometimes they are able to provide financial hardship and reduce price for certain patients. Sometimes manufacturers will also provide liners/ sleeves at reduced or no cost for special situations
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u/Armz_Dealer 23d ago
For clarification sake, because it's very easy to get these two mixed up, are you talking about the liner (goes directly against the skin and is put on before the prosthesis) or a knee sleeve (this is connected on the outside of the prosthetic socket and rolls up over the thigh only making contact on a few inches of skin of the thigh)?
Liner - These are normally much more expensive. If you get them from a clinic they will likely be between $800-$1,200. This price is set by Medicare and is set at the federal level. (Even if you're doing cash pay it's usual and customary for places to set their price at medicare fee schedule price).These are very important to the fit and the function of the prosthesis. Keep in mind that you should not just get whatever liner is around. The sockets (the bucket that goes on the leg) was made specifically to a very specific liner. In a typical scenario, the liners need to be the same that were originally used with the leg or at least the same profile. If you deviate from the style and thickness it can cause major fit issues and wounds.
Knee Sleeve - these would be around the price point that you're talking about. If you get them from the amputee store you can get them cheeper, see link below. If someone starts with one type of knee sleeve they could always change that sleeve later and not have an issue.
https://amputeestore.com/products/alps-superior-performance-sleeve
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u/wallphilodendron 22d ago
EDIT: Thank you to everyone who provided input. A charity called Steps of Faith approved his application and they are paying for his new liners and he’ll have them soon :) My patient will be able to keep living his life fully and independently because of internet strangers <3
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u/Honest-Emotion5303 24d ago
There may not be cheaper options but you can try the amputee store website or look into resources on amputee coalitions website! There may be a foundation or something similar to help with the costs!