Services
Being a leader in the prosthetics industry, we invest in cutting edge technology so our patients have the best fitting prosthetics.
Prosthetics
Upper Extremity Prosthetics
Upper limb amputees comprise about 30% of the total amputee population, but historically upper limb prosthetic technology has lagged behind lower limbs. Fortunately, that is changing.
Today, upper limb amputee patients are taking advantage of exciting new surgical breakthroughs. Advanced procedures such as Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR) and Osseointegration (OI) help make the interface between human and prosthesis even more natural and intuitive than ever. Surgical breakthroughs are matched with impressive technological advances in prosthetics and interfaces. With Next Step’s long partnership with Dean Kamen and DEKA on the highly advanced LUKE Arm, we are part of the pioneering movement to advance upper limb prosthetic capabilities.
Next Step continues to push the envelope of prosthetic functionality for upper limb amputees, creating custom interfaces for any amputation level and type of residual limb. A particularly difficult amputation area is shoulder disarticulation. Next Step worked with one bilateral upper limb amputee to develop a specialized contra-lateral plate that enabled him to use two prosthetic limbs for the first time in over 30 years.
Internationally recognized for our custom care approach for each amputee, advanced socket design, on-site fabrication and accelerated fabrication capabilities, Next Step attracts upper limb amputees from around the world. Find out more.
Myoelectrics:
The most natural and functional prosthesis available. These advanced prosthetic arms and hands use the patient’s muscles to control the hand, elbow or both—depending on the amputation level.
Body Powered:
This is a traditional hook-and-cable operated prosthesis. These systems are light and durable, but have limited function. This type of prosthetic arm is both reliable and functional enough to help amputees get back to everyday living.
Restorative/Passive:
This type of prosthetic arm provides opposition for the intact limb (sound side) and can be used to hold numerous objects such as cups, phones and can assist a patient in signing their name or buttering bread.
Hybrid:
A combination of myoelectric and body-powered components. When designed appropriately, a hybrid prosthetic arm system is extremely functional for above-elbow (transhumeral) amputees.
Sport/Recreational:
These are designed to perform specific tasks that are not easily accomplished with traditional prostheses: fishing, photography, baseball, culinary arts, swimming, golf and more.
Work Specific:
Jobs that are repetitive in nature could require a unique, custom-designed prosthesis that allows the patient to return to work. The possibilities are endless with a well-engineered prosthetic arm device.
Advanced:
Next Step works closely with the leading manufactures in the industry to provide advanced, but more importantly, appropriate prosthetic arm technology. Such technology includes multi-articulating hands, flexible, longer-lasting, batteries, as well as radio frequency tags (MORPH) for the home and work station. Next Step also works closely with patients utilizing Pattern Recognition that learns and adapts to the patient’s muscle contractions, as well as patients who have undergone the Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR) surgery, which creates additional electrical signals and repositions them for a high level of intuitive control.
Partial Hand Prosthetics:
Partial hand amputations are one of the most commonly seen levels in the upper extremity population. Next Step provides a variety of options including full and partial M-Fingers, part of a mechanical partial hand prosthesis with the goal of regaining functionality, as well as power digits, a fully customized electronic prosthesis for those missing fingers or a portion of the hand. Power digits move independently and bend at the joints to work in connection to increase independence. Silicone restoration, when appropriately used, is also a unique prosthetic specialty utilized by the Upper Extremity Team. With a proper fit, silicone has the ability to compress tissue, protect sensitive areas from harm, and can be a very useful device that can assist with vocational and domestic activities.
LUKE (Life Under Kinetic Evolution) Arm:
We’re excited to announce the revolutionary LUKE Arm is now being fitted for qualified individuals. Why are we so excited? Let us count the ways:
The LUKE Arm uses specially developed state-of-the-art technology to quickly integrate with the user’s own body.
The arm executes both fine and strength-based movements with an effectiveness and agility unseen of before.
It features the unparalleled function and comfort of the equally ground-breaking High-Fidelity Interface by Randy Alley, CEO of biodesigns.
It represents the result of an unprecedented 10 years’ long collaborative effort, including a key role by Next Step in the interface and fitting phase.
Invented by Dean Kamen and his company DEKA, the technologically innovative LUKE Arm has been refined through an exhaustive adaptive and testing process including extensive user testing by Next Step to customize the user interface to ensure comfortable and effective structural and functional integration. For our team, it truly has been an honor to play a role in the development of such a significant advance in prosthetics. We’re now looking forward to sharing the life-changing experience of using the LUKE Arm with its first users.
So, what is it like to use the LUKE Arm?
Imagine:
Reaching up to pluck an apple from a tree.
Confidently manipulating chopsticks to pick up small bites of food.
Picking up and operating a heavy piece of equipment with ease, or
Peeling a banana without bruising the fruit.
Now, imagine being able to do some of these things the very first time you put the arm on, all with a level of comfort and integration never realized before due to the sophisticated compression and release design of the High-Fidelity interface. Want to see it in action? Check out this video of one of our patients being fit for the LUKE Arm.
Are you a good candidate for the LUKE Arm? Currently, the LUKE Arm is available for three levels of amputation:
lower arm or transradial,
mid-arm or transhumeral, and
shoulder disarticulation (this level does not use the High-Fidelity Interface)
If you are a veteran, the LUKE Arm is covered in many cases by the VA. Other candidates may have access to funding depending on their particular circumstances. As a preferred provider of the LUKE Arm, we would be happy to talk with you and answer any questions you may have on the arm and whether it is a good fit for your particular needs.
As one of the original development partners, Next Step has unique expertise in the fitting and use of the LUKE Arm. Our greatest pleasure is in helping our patients get their lives back. When you visit us, you’ll find both our people and facility to be warm and welcoming. To support our overall patient experience, we have built an experienced, patient-centered team to ensure the strongest, most supportive patient experience. One example of our approach is the customized physical and occupational therapy we offer our patients through our partnership with Catholic Medical Center.
Lower Extremity Prosthetics
We strive to provide superior rehabilitation techniques and technology that focuses on whole body health and outcomes. Your “unique to you” prosthetic leg will fit comfortably and function perfectly to help you live life to the fullest.
Next Step is highly experienced in working with lower limb amputees of all levels. We are proud to be one of the leading facilities in fitting high-level, above-knee amputees, even those with difficult hip disarticulations and hemipelvectomies.
Today, lower limb amputees at Next Step are benefiting from exciting advances in surgical procedures and prosthetic technology. Advanced procedures such as Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR) and the Ewing Amputation help make the interface between human and prosthesis even more natural and intuitive than ever. Lower limb amputees are also benefiting from higher performance prosthetics and interfaces to get them up and walking (and running) in record time so they can claim their best life, and we are with them every step of the way.
We provide some of the most advanced prosthetic components available, exceptionally fitting sockets, and access to the latest in bionic and prosthetic technologies for our patients. Because of Next Step’s innovative approach and focus on performance, we are sought out by athletes, veterans, and other lower-limb amputees seeking optimum functionality and comfort from their prosthesis. Starting with the creation of a custom interface, our advanced fabrication capabilities and refusal to compromise allow us to make precise adjustments in the fit and function.
With our internationally-recognized custom care approach for each amputee, advanced socket design, on-site fabrication and accelerated fabrication capabilities, Next Step is a natural choice for the lower-limb amputee. Let’s talk with you about your specific prosthetic care needs.
Prosthetic Leg and Other Lower Extremity Prosthetics:
Above Knee & Below Knee Prosthetics
Microprocessor-Controlled Knees
Sports & High-Activity Knees
Flex Feet
Multi-Axial Feet
Swimming Prosthesis
Ultra-Lightweight Prosthesis
Partial Foot Restorations
Symes Prosthetics
Rotationplasty
Hip-disarticulations
Custom-fit, comfortable sockets
Pediatric Prosthetics
Socket Designs:
A comfortable, well-fitting socket is the foundation of every amputee’s positive outcome. Your prosthetic socket will be designed specifically for you through a unique, custom-tailored method that has been selected for you by your prosthetist. Prosthetists who are well versed with the Direct Socket System and can fabricate a finished socket quicker than what other methods may permit. The simplicity and efficiency of the fitting process makes it much more convenient than traditional methods.
Direct Socket:
A better fit in the fraction of the time. Direct Sockets are made directly from the patient instead of a traditional mold. Patients may be able to walk out with their new prosthesis on the same day! Patients routinely return to therapy much quicker and may be able to begin gait training sooner than with traditional methods.
Symphonie Aqua Casting System:
This revolutionary prosthesis casting system consistently creates comfortable, well fitting sockets.The Symphonie Aqua Casting System has been able to capture the exact shape of the amputated limb under full weight bearing.
Orthotics
What Is a Certified Orthotist?
A Certified Orthotist specializes in the design, fabrication, and fitting of custom fabricated orthoses. Certified Orthotists have passed the certification standards of The American Board of Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC) or The Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) in orthotics and maintain their certification through mandatory continuing education programs and adherence to their board's Code of Professional Responsibility.
Our Certified Orthotists work closely with other health care professionals when treating adults and children whose mobility is challenged by neuromuscular disease, and those suffering from chronic and acute orthopedic conditions. Utilizing traditional casting and the latest in laser scanner technology, our clinics also offer advanced designs in the treatment of scoliosis and plagiocephaly. Our on-site fabrication facilities use only the latest thermoplastic and carbon fiber technologies available to provide our patients with the highest quality orthoses available.
Orthoses are provided only in our Lebanon and Concord, New Hampshire offices, and include:
· AFOs
· KAFOs
· Knee Orthoses
· Hip Orthoses
· Upper Extremity Orthoses
· Spinal Orthoses including Scoliosis and Fractures
· Cranial Remolding Orthoses
