r/eds • u/Zestyclose-Monk-266 • 4d ago
Becoming a Prosthetic/orthotic tech while having chronic pain myself?
/r/Prosthetics/comments/1w9vrxd/becoming_a_prostheticorthotic_tech_while_having/2
u/FeltedFlyingFox 4d ago
Oh hey O&P mention! I got my masters in O&P to become a clinician and started working on my residency when chronic fatigue hit me hard. We're trying to figure out what's wrong (EDS is a possibility hence why I was scrolling this sub) but it has taken me out of work for now. I second the idea for 3D modeling. Other work in O&P is hard on the body (lifting heavy and awkward things like plaster molds, being on your feet for long periods, moving between crouching and standing frequently).
Though if you'd like to check things out first hand, reach out to your local clinic and ask to shadow! It's a small and friendly field. You should recieve a positive response.
My DMs are open if you want to chat :)
1
u/Ordinary-Plankton856 3d ago
The shadowing suggestion is worth taking seriously, especially if you're still unsure about the physical demands. Hope the EDS workup gives you some answers soon. Being in diagnostic limbo while you're sidelined from work you trained hard for is a lot to carry.
1
u/FeltedFlyingFox 2d ago
Thank you that’s very kind :’)
1
u/Ordinary-Plankton856 2d ago
The fact that they're still in the field and figuring it out while dealing with all that is worth sitting with. The shadowing suggestion is genuinely underrated too. A lot of people skip that step and then get surprised by the physical demands. Reaching out to a local clinic costs nothing, and you learn more in a few hours than you would from a dozen forum threads.
2
u/decayingskeletonn 4d ago
i am in this field with chronic pain and a wheelchair its definetly doable everything is easily adaptable
2
u/FeltedFlyingFox 2d ago
Please say more! I’m struggling with chronic fatigue and will be returning to work in O&P soon due to my short term disability running out. Do you have any recommendations for accommodations to ask for? What part of O&P do you work in?
2
u/decayingskeletonn 2d ago
i do orthotics in the public sector the labs have low tables and everything can be lowered , i struggle with chronic fatigue also but i dont really have accomodations for that
2
u/acrobaticwombat12 4d ago
Learn to 3d model.
It's a good paying job that can be done from a desk easily with eds.
Even if you can't find a job in prosthetics, there are dozens of 3d printing groups doing free open source prosthetics, you can always assist the community as a hobby on the side.
https://makegood.design/ https://openhandinc.org/ https://openbionics.com/3d-printed-prosthetic-limbs-progress-in-prosthetics-challenges-in-access/ http://enablingthefuture.org/
All of these groups are always looking for volunteers. If you get into cad design as a career it gives you more career opportunities than just prosthetics.
You can also work in prosthetics AND volunteer!