Omaha staff ensures life quality continues through O&P Clinic

Photo By Jennifer Scales | Once the sizing is complete, Raymond Lines, shows how a computer-generated display notes the exact size and depressions for the patient’s foot.  

OMAHA, NE, UNITED STATES

07.24.2018

Story by Jennifer Scales 

Columbia VA Health Care System

Let’s talk about the letters ‘O and P’. Orthopedics and prosthetics, to be exact.

For many Veterans, especially those seen in the Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, those letters have allowed them to continue with their lives, whether they have lost their natural limbs in service to this country or suffer from a medically related condition which caused the loss.

Orthopedic medicine references concern with joints, muscles, and ligaments, while prosthetics deals with the artificial device that replaces the missing body part.

Adam Jacobsen, Orthopedic and Prosthetic supervisor at the Omaha VA Medical Center, prides himself and his staff for having same day access and walk-in availability for the O & P Clinic.

“A Veteran can come in and get custom items made here on sight, instead of having them made off at another location,” Jacobsen said.

These custom items may range from limb impressions and molds of hands, feet, legs and arms.

But the visit, like most referrals in the medical center, must begin with their primary care clinic. Once they are determined to have the medical need, the O & P Clinic is likely their next stop.

According to Jacobsen, 50 percent of all Veterans nationally need some type of prosthetic device. “It doesn’t have to be a limb that is required either. We can also assist in their acquisition of beds, oxygen, ramps, some home projects or other auto-adaptive device due to the loss of a limb,” he said.

Clothing may even fall into that category. As explained, if a person has an artificial limb, they may need special clothing that fits over the device. Plus, there may be wear and tear on their regular attire, which would also constitute them needing the clothing allowance.

Within one of the areas of the O & P Clinic, one is likely to find fitter technicians, Mike Durbin and Mike Lines, surrounded by casts and models of limbs. Or they could be at their respective stations making a limb or adjusting one from a same day or walk-in Veteran patient.

Raymond Lines, certified orthotist at the Omaha VAMC, operates equipment which allows the patient to place their foot in a device, which then generates a computer image showing exact specifications of the person’s foot. From this, arch supports can be custom made and picked up within two to three days.

Veterans requiring foot orthotics can also save time by making a visit to the O & P Clinic. They may be able to get full closure shoes, which are available for both men and women.

Diabetic and orthopedic shoes are available or can be acquired for Veterans who use the clinic. Veterans who may be experiencing foot deformities will be able to get the help they need from the clinic.

“Though we still make metal braces for patients, each orthotic device is made to the specifications of the patient, no matter what it is,” Jacobsen said.

Making quality products for the comfort of the patient is one of the goal’s in the O & P Clinic at the Omaha VAMC. Nothing happens overnight, so sometimes they may need special materials for the patient, which would require just a short waiting time.

With well over a thousand patients coming through their clinic, and the majority being male, the NWIHCS Orthopedic & Prosthetic Clinic is a growing service with the potential to see more.

“It’s all about improving the quality of life for our Veterans,” both Jacobsen and Lines agreed.

• Date Taken: 07.24.2018
• Date Posted: 08.01.2018 18:53
• Story ID: 286864
• Location: OMAHA, NE, US