Orthotics and Prosthetics

Our Orthotics and Prosthetics Department provides standard, customised or custom designed external supports to people who are injured or need artificial limbs (prostheses). We are one of four public Orthotics and Prosthetics Services in Queensland. Our aim is to help you reach your highest level of function and restore your range of movement to improve your daily mobility.

Our services

We offer the following services:

• Provision of Orthoses to support, protect, maintain joint range and to help manage or prevent further injury. Types of orthoses include, but are not restricted to, Custom foot orthoses, spinal and lower limb orthoses and upper limb orthoses
• We assess, design, manufacture, fit and align these orthoses and interim prostheses
• An onsite fabrication workshop. Our team is able to custom make or modify devices to suit your needs
• We are part of the Amputee Clinic within our Physiotherapy department providing an interim limb service post amputation.

How to access this service

To access this service as an outpatient you must reside within the Metro North Hospital and Health Service (MNHHS) catchment area. Your GP or medical practitioner will need to send a referral letter to the hospital.

If there is a waiting list, you will receive a confirmation letter and be advised on what to do next. If there is no waiting list, you will receive an appointment booking letter or we will contact you to arrange a suitable time for your appointment. Referrals from outside the MNHHS catchment area will not be accepted.

Please note, referrals are triaged and appointments will be provided to the most urgent cases first. For non-urgent cases, appointments are usually offered within 3-12 months of the referral.

Prosthetics referrals are managed through the Amputee Clinic held within the Physiotherapy Department.

If you are at risk of diabetic foot complications, you can also access this service through a referral from a podiatrist at a Metro North Community Health Centre.

We also accept referrals from other public hospitals where there is no local service available.

What to bring

What to expect

If you need orthotics or prosthetics

If you need foot orthoses, ankle foot orthoses or a shoe raise, please bring footwear you are currently using. Wear loose fitted clothing that can easily be pulled out of the way or close fitted clothing (e.g. bike pants), which can be measured and cast over the top of.

On your first visit

• We will assess and measure you depending on your specific needs.
• If possible, a standard device will be fitted. The device may need adjustment or customising to match your needs.
• You may need a custom made device which means we may need to take a cast (or mould) to build a model of your body.
• The casting and measuring process may require the removal of clothing, so please wear something appropriate, and there is a possibility of the casting materials or markers soiling your clothing.
• We will discuss suitable footwear and / or clothing to bring to your next appointment if required.

For a fitting of a lower limb device

• Please wear a firm fitting solid shoe (as discussed at initial appointment)
• If you need shoe modifications done, bring a couple of pairs along to see if they are suitable.
• We do not provide shoes except in certain circumstances. Shoe modifications will be made to your own shoes.
• Please be aware we do not have shoemakers or cobblers and our ability to assist with shoe work is limited.
• Once your specific needs for footwear modification is known, you may find a local shoe repair business or shoemaker to assist you.

Clinics

Frequently asked questions