Oakland Orthopedic and Appliances is the only business that offers 3D-printed prosthetic legs in Michigan.
The business, with locations in Midland, Bay City, Mount Pleasant and Saginaw, orders the prosthetics, called UniLeg, from Limber Prosthetics in California.
The UniLeg is waterproof and is designed to be worn in pools, salt water, showers, and at the beach.
Partnerships and Social Media Manager Courtney Wilkin has a UniLeg herself. She has been an amputee for 21 years and noted this is one of the best prosthetics that she has had.
“I got it for beach volleyball and swimming and just showering if I needed it.” Wilkin said. “But I love it so much I wear it nearly every day, because it works for me and it feels great.”
In her experience with the leg, Wilkin has found the ankle is flexible and gives her a good push when she walks.
She also found that because of how the leg is designed, the weight is distributed better and creates a smoother walk.
Oakland Orthopedic and Appliances President Corey Smith has created 14 UniLegs since May.
He noted that while other prosthetics require pads if there is discomfort in the limb, the UniLeg is heat moldable, allowing more comfort for the user.
He recommends the UniLeg for those who have been wearing a prosthetic for at least two years, since the limb can change a lot during the first couple of years.
“The more ideal situation would be long-term user, someone whose volume is stabilized in the limb and we know that there’s not going to be a lot of changes.”
Smith explained that the UniLeg can be worn sooner than two years, especially if one is looking for an option for the shower, but he said it would likely not be properly fitted for long.
The cost of the UniLeg is around $3,000, according to Smith. He noted that this is an affordable price compared to other prosthetics.
He also explained that the UniLeg’s waterproof quality helps reduce the need for multiple prosthetics.
“Most private payers, like Medicare, Blue Cross, Medicaid, they’re only going to allow you to have one,” Smith said.
He noted that a second prosthetic is sometimes bought for the purpose of showering due to the primary prosthetic not being waterproof.
Oakland Orthopedic and Appliances in Midland, at 2704 North Saginaw, can be contacted at 989-839-9241 and is open Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. until 12 p.m.