<\/span><\/h1>\nThe below diagram shows the price per month in CHF (Swiss Francs) to get service free operation out of the product mentioned [y-axis]. I distinguish two groups of items – the ones I will buy again (‘y’, right side on x-axis) and the ones I will not buy again (‘n’, left side on x-axis) .<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.swisswuff.ch\/images\/price\/prostheticparts-price-versus-buyagain.png\")
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Details regarding the above diagram: <\/em><\/p>\nSockets<\/span> (carbon fiber, epoxy) are the most expensive part I am using that I will get replaced, or recommend buying again. Socket making indeed seems to be the art that keeps the prosthetic industry alive as long as body powered arms are being built.<\/p>\nHowever, sockets compete only with a new and risky method to anchor prostheses, osseointegration, and with 80’000 CHF for the operation and an average of 30 months of operation until a bolt breaks or is getting infected, monthly cost will be absolutely\u00a0gargantuan\u00a0(about 2600 CHF \/ month, not considering the huge amount of daily babysitting of a chronic wound that is constantly oozing). With that, sockets still are more affordable by a factor of 10-100, pending complications of osseointegration implants – not at all a cheap option, particularly as arm stumps are exposed to a lot – toilet cleaning, kitchen work, garden work, et cetera, the exposure to bacteria and fungi is usually extensive so 2600 CHF \/ month is an extremely conservative estimate. More expensive sockets thus are the most promising method to make more money for the prosthetic technician selling body powered arms.<\/p>\n
Silicone liners<\/span> are expensive, but only moderately so. If a prosthetic technician manages to sell custom liners they can increase their monthly income by quite a bit. However, the amount of money spent on Ossur liners that are made so they fail after about 1-2 years is considerable.<\/p>\nThe V2P Prehensor<\/span> is a product that grips nicely but has failing parts – the sliding mechanism is the part that fails there. Also, this part is built to be used up and not to last permanently.<\/p>\nCompared to that, Hosmer hooks and Becker hands<\/span> are functionally superb and they have a cheap monthly rate – simply because their quality is great. As for the wrist units, our Puppchen wrist<\/span> has been built with the same quality \/ price ratio in mind.<\/p>\nIt is interesting to note that conventionally set up cables<\/span> (left side) can be extremely expensive if they are used too often or to much. Only a revised and modified cable setup<\/span> (right side) is worthwhile getting, wearing and buying. Still, cables are a wear-down product that simply requires some new parts every now and then.<\/p>\nLuxury products that are extremely expensive contain myoelectric components and sockets<\/span>, as well as hand painted cosmetic arms<\/span>. You could buy these but be aware that you do waste considerable amounts of money.<\/p>\n<\/span>Cut-off value for price per month of service free operation<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\nIf you are buying a prosthetic component, evaluate the price using the following rates:<\/p>\n
200 CHF \/ month – sockets and cosmetic arms as well as consumables (cable setup) range there. If you get a prosthetic hand that costs that much you should expect superior performance. Not good, not very good, but superior.<\/p>\n
10-20 CHF \/ month – this is the cost range of well built prosthetic parts – Becker hands, Hosmer hooks, Puppchen wrist. You can go and refurbish your house, shovel snow, get your hands real dirty and still keep trucking service free.<\/p>\n
Over 300 CHF \/ month – you are probably getting reamed. Check again. If it is ever possible, buy something else for your ego, like, a house or a car.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Function does not mean the part costs much. Conversely if it costs too much it is probably not worth it. <\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.swisswuff.ch\/images\/price\/prostheticparts-price-versus-function.png\")
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Function and price (write off per service free month) actually correlate\u00a0negatively.\u00a0That means that if you are wearing a piece of heavy junk, chances are good it also cost too much.<\/p>\n
Now for the questions that arise.<\/p>\n
I’ll post these later. I think they are obvious. But let’s give that time to settle here.<\/p>\n\n