Prosthetics
Advance. Inspire. Adapt.
World-Class Custom Prosthetics in Durban
At Grobbelaar and Cass, we have a reputation for producing and fitting leading-edge artificial limbs and hands. Supplying custom prosthetics in Durban, we bring our patients the best tech that the world has to offer and also assist them with finding the most affordable options for their budget.
Create Something That’s Fit for You
Our specialists take great care in ensuring that your prosthetic is perfectly fitted to your body. We understand how important it is to have a prosthetic that’s comfortable and easy to use, making everyday tasks as effortless as possible.
What You Should Know About Prosthetics
SKIN COLOUR
We are able to match your prosthetic leg to match your skin tone and make it look more natural if desired. Speak to us about our colour-match options.
It’s Not One-Size-Fits All
Each person’s prosthetic is completely custom made, according to their limb loss, and thus the functionality we can offer will largely depend on each patient and the type of amputation they’ve had.
It’s All About Activity Levels
We build our custom prosthetic solutions around one very important factor – that being our patients’ activity levels. Your activity level prior to your amputation will determine what we can offer you in terms of mobility.
Deciding What Works for You
We believe in giving advice that’s aligned with each patient’s unique lifestyle and circumstances. We facilitate them in choosing prosthetics that will suit their current lifestyle or future goals.
Prosthetic Legs
Not all patients will be able to walk freely with a prosthetic leg. Some will still have to use assistive devices such as crutches. Whether you can walk unaided or not depends on your type of amputation, whether you have enough soft tissue, or if you have good range of motion in your residual leg. Our prosthetist will discuss this with you during your consult.
Types of Prosthetics
The type of prosthetics we make and the materials we use largely depend on our patient, their needs, and their budget. We cater to all budgets, and work with a number of materials such as resin, acrylic, PVC, carbon fibre, nylon, Kevlar, silicone, fibreglass, and stainless steel.
Customisation
Each prosthetic can be completely customised, down to the finest detail. Whether you want an artificial limb or hand that stands out and wows your friends and family, or you want a natural-looking prosthetic, we can work with you and your budget to get exactly what you want.
Prosthetic Tech
Artificial limb technology has come a long way in the past few decades, and the way people are viewing prosthetics has changed hugely! Our facilities are equipped with the most current, world-class tech, such as myoelectrics or knees fitted with microprocessors, and we can help create the most impressive prosthetics – with the only limitation being your budget.
Kid’s Prosthetics
Nothing remains constant with kids, they are constantly growing and changing, and are always active, eager to explore their world. Grobbelaar & Cass understand this and work alongside parents to help them face the demands and challenges that limb or hand loss brings for young individuals.
Prosthetic Funding
There are many different ways to fund your prosthetic leg. Take a look at the options below.
Most medical aid schemes have a prosthetic benefit. However, not all medical aid companies provide the same coverage, and benefit amounts will vary according to each provider and the plan you have with them.
If your medical aid prosthetic benefit is insufficient, please enquire about Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMB).
If your amputation was the result of an occupational injury, then you will need to enquire about COIDA funding with your company of employment. Each employer living in South Africa is required, by law, to make a monthly contribution to the Department of Labour Compensation Fund.
In the case of medical negligence (for example, the onset of infection due to not using properly sterilsed equipment), you can consult a medical negligence attorney and make use of their services to see if it is worth claiming for medical treatment, rehabilitation, prosthesis, or a loss of income due to your limb loss.
For victims of road accidents, there is the Road Accident Fund, which provides cover to all users of South African roads (whether pedestrian, car, motorcycle, taxi, bus or truck). We suggest that you get an experienced attorney to help you through your journey of claiming with them.
If you don’t have medical aid and were not a road accident victim or victim of a work-related injury, then you will have to personally fund your medical treatment, rehabilitation, and prosthesis. There are many ways to personally finance your medical needs, such as savings, bank credit or loans, selling assets, getting contributions or donations from family or friends, sponsorships from companies, and fundraising events).
If you have an insurance policy that covers you in the event of not being able to perform at work due to illness or injury, then we advise you get in touch with your broker for advice on claiming.
There are government-funded medical facilities where you can get assistance. Visit your closest government clinic, and they will refer you to a government orthotics and prosthetics centre. The cost of your prosthesis will be calculated according to your income level and whether you receive a disability or pension grant from SASSA.
Prosthetic FAQs
We advise all patients to thoroughly assess what their medical aid does and does not cover. Most medical aids are limited in terms of prosthetic cover, and so extra funding is often required to cover the gaps.
Since we offer custom prosthetics, our price varies from patient to patient and according to their unique requirements. We work with patients with different backgrounds and budgets and are flexible in meeting you where you’re at.
Our prosthetics have a modular makeup, which means that we can switch out components down the line and add in new and enhanced parts.
This largely depends on the type of trauma you have had and the type of amputation. While not all patients will be able to walk again, we can work with them to restore as much mobility and independence as possible.
Our prosthetic components have a 5-year lifespan before they need to be replaced.