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Ask three prosthetists which above-knee leg is "best" and you'll get three answers, because the honest one is: it depends on you. The right above-knee (transfemoral) prosthesis is the one matched to how you move, how your residual limb is doing, and what you want your days to look like. This guide walks through how […]

Losing a leg doesn't mean losing your independence behind the wheel. People with lower-limb amputations drive safely every day, whether they've lost a leg below the knee, above the knee, or both. The path back looks a little different for everyone, and it depends mostly on which leg is affected and what kind of vehicle […]

This July marks 34 years since Robert Tillges opened the doors to Tillges Orthotics & Prosthetics. What started as one practitioner's commitment to better patient care in the Twin Cities has grown into a team that serves people across Minnesota and Wisconsin, all while holding onto the same idea it began with: you're not just […]

Yes, you can wear long pants with a prosthetic leg. Jeans, dress pants, joggers, chinos: it all works. The real question isn't whether you can wear them. It's how to make them comfortable when you are wearing them, how to get them on without a drawn-out ordeal, and how to pick pants that won't cause […]

Pediatric prosthetics is a relationship between the patient and prosthesist that continues to grow as the patient grows. Kids are constantly growing, learning and adapting and their prosthetic care must evolve with them.

CAN YOU RUN WITH A PROSTHETIC LEG? Many ask if running with a prosthetic is possible. The short answer is yes. With the right prosthetic, proper training, and a team that knows how to get you back to your activities, running after amputation is absolutely possible. Many amputees run recreationally, and some compete at elite […]

Flying with a prosthetic leg is completely doable. But if it's your first time, the unknowns can eat at you. Will security make you remove it? What happens when your limb swells at altitude? What are airlines actually required to do for you? This guide covers the full flight-day experience, from the TSA checkpoint to […]

Pediatric prosthetics is a relationship between the patient and prosthesist that continues to grow as the patient grows. Kids are constantly growing, learning and adapting and their prosthetic care must evolve with them.

Ankle Foot Orthosis Gauntlet has many clinical benefits that target many foot pathologies. Tillges offers custom 3D printed ankle gauntlet braces to suit patients specific needs.

Caring for your residual limb. Caring for your residual limb is one of the most important parts of living well and comfortably with an amputation. A healthy limb not only reduces the risk of skin issues and discomfort, it also improves your prosthetic fit, stability, and overall mobility. Whether you’re newly adjusting or a long-time […]

What are foot orthotics?  Foot orthotics are typically a shoe insert that works to provide support and correctly align structures within the foot. They are used for a multitude of diagnoses including plantar fasciitis, flat feet, callousing, bunions, and much more. Custom foot orthotics are made from a replication of your foot, and all support is created directly against the foot model and adjusted to […]

When Osseointegration may be the right direction. Osseointegration, a technique that attaches a prosthetic limb directly to the skeletal structure of the residual limb instead of using a traditional socket, is another alternative in managing prosthetic patients who have a challenging, hard to fit residual limb. This makes sense when the patient has a very short residual limb that cannot […]

Unique challenges faced with partial hand amputations. A partial hand amputation poses unique challenges, but new developments in rehabilitation, medical technology, and support networks provide a number of ways to improve quality of life and functionality. The main choices available to partial hand amputees are examined in this blog post, including prosthetic options, adaptive equipment, […]

Custom made modular bracing for each patient's specific needs. Modular versus custom – modular meaning “constructed with standardized units or dimensions for flexibility and variety in use” - custom meaning “to build, fit, or alter according to individual specifications”. Typically, these terms are used separately when discussing orthotic devices. With this article we will be […]

Socket comfort is of the utmost importance of any prosthetic device. Finding the right prosthetic socket is one of the most important steps in ensuring comfort, functionality, and confidence for amputees. For many prosthetic users, achieving a well-fitting socket can be a long and sometimes frustrating process. However, thanks to advancements in prosthetics, there is […]

Forward movement in orthotic and prosthetic insurance coverage. This past year the movement So Every BODY Can Move Minnesota made a huge step in the right direction by pushing and successfully passing the HF-3339/SF-3351 bill through Minnesota legislation. This team has relentlessly advocated for change regarding the current discriminatory healthcare treatment of people with disabilities. […]

Team Tillges is ready to serve you. Effective January 2025, Tillges Orthotics & Prosthetics has acquired North Metro Orthotics & Prosthetics in Coon Rapids, MN. With the acquisition of North Metro O&P, Tillges will now have a office location in Coon Rapids. Tillges Orthotics & Prosthetics Coon Rapids will be open to begin seeing patients […]

Custom made 3D printed devices for the perfect fit. Imagine a world where orthotic and prosthetic devices are custom made to fit perfectly, providing unparalled comfort and support. With cost-effective materials and faster fabrication time, 3D printing is revolutionizing the field. “Personalized medical devices are growing in popularity among healthcare providers because they have been […]

Genium X4 Microprocessor allows for wider range of movement and stability after amputation. In the ever-changing field of orthotics and prosthetics, Ottobock has consistently stood out as a leader in innovation and user-centric design. Their tradition of achievement in technological advancement always exceeds expectations; riding the cutting-edge improvements that expand the orthotic and prosthetic field. […]

Upper extremity amputations and the options for prosthetic devices. It is estimated approximately 45,000 digit amputations occur yearly in the United States. Partial hand amputations, referring to the partial or complete loss of one or more fingers or the hand, account for 90% of all traumatic amputations of the upper extremity (Munaretto, 2023). While amputations […]

MyoPro brace for upper extremity orthotics. At Tillges, we embrace new technology and we are always seeking new ways to improve our patients’ lives. Weakness of the upper extremity after a stroke or spinal cord injury will affect one’s ability to perform instrumental activities of daily living. Other conditions such as brachial plexus injury, cerebral palsy or […]

What is Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency or PFFD? Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency (PFFD) is a rare congenital condition of the proximal femur that presents in many unique ways. PFFD is characterized by the underdeveloped, or completely absent proximal femur of the upper leg, which can cause challenges in mobility and function for the patient. Roux […]

Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness At Tillges we are proud to support Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month during the month of April and beyond. We are honored to be a part of the story of many individuals as they begin their process of limb loss and limb difference and those who are […]

Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness At Tillges we are proud to support Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month during the month of April and beyond. We are honored to be a part of the story of many individuals as they begin their process of limb loss and limb difference and those who are […]

RECIPROCATING GAIT ORTHOSIS EXPLAINED A big advancement in the field of orthotics came into the picture around the 1980s when what we knew of a Hip-Knee-Ankle-Foot-Orthosis (HKAFO) was transformed and taken to a new level by replacing the hip belt with a different pelvic section and hip joint to assist in mimicking a reciprocating gait […]

HOW DOES A STROKE AFFECT US? Stroke, in general terms, is attributed to vascular injury of a person’s nervous system. It is the leading cause of acquired disability in adults (1). Stroke can compromise vision, speech, sensory and motor, and cognitive functions. This disruption in daily functions then lead to the visible signs of having […]

Overview of the KAFO Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis, or KAFO, is an orthotic brace that helps to simultaneously stabilize the knee and ankle joints of a person’s leg. This type of brace does well to assist the human anatomy where the muscles of a person’s lower limb(s) may not be functioning to the degree of […]

Device Fabrication Evolves The advancement of 3D printing within the orthotic and prosthetic industry is raising the standard for how devices are fabricated. Historically, all O&P devices started as a plaster model which plastics of differing densities and carbon fiber were draped over to create the final product. While this not only creates a large […]

Being Told Your Need is Not Medically Necessary “NOT MEDICALLY NECESSARY” is a common statement heard across the United States in most orthotic and prosthetic clinics. Insurance demands and requirements have made the process of receiving an essential and needed device for everyday life extremely difficult. The process for a standard, everyday prosthesis or orthosis […]

Make the most of summer with help from Team Tillges! Summertime can mean so many things for individuals that have felt a longing for warm weather. It means going for walks, hikes, and bike rides again and getting outside to explore new outdoor activities. For many individuals, summer indicates a return to open lakes, pools, […]

The Orthotic & Prosthetic Field is Growing Fast - Find Your Career! Finding your career calling can be a journey – but if you have a passion for helping others, making an impact in someone’s life and continuing to learn in a hands-on environment then the Orthotic & Prosthetic field might be the right fit […]

Achieving Good Suspension One of the questions that a prosthetist gets asked often is “how does the prosthetic leg stay on?” This is a great question, and often the answer depends on the results and findings from the evaluation process of each patient. There are many suspension methods applicable to the below-knee amputation level and […]

Traveling with Ease Traveling can be an exciting endeavor for most, however it can be a burden for those unprepared to take on the long flights, bus rides, and laborious walks down the uneven sidewalks to the best restaurant in town. Traveling can make for an intimidating adventure if not planned suitably. If you are […]

Prosthetic Fit and Comfort Depends on the Shape of the Socket Hand-casting has long been the standard for acquiring an accurate mold of an amputee’s residual limb. While hand-casting can provide a fairly accurate mold and is still a useful technique and option to utilize, there are constantly new technologies and advances in this field […]

The definition of Plantar Fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue at the bottom of the heel. (Picture 1. Anatomy of the foot) This thick band of tissue is a weblike ligament that connects your heel to the front of your foot. It works as a shock absorber to protect the arch […]

Phantom limb syndrome and resulting pain are very real things for many amputees. However, a relatively new procedure can ease these and other issues for patients. Targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) is a surgical procedure first performed in the early 2000s that was initially developed for patients with shoulder disarticulations or transhumeral amputations. The goal of […]

There are many different types of knee braces out on the market nowadays. With so many viable options, how do you know what brace is right for you? Our article below is a good starting point, but it’s also vital to discuss your needs with your provider. Knee braces can be prefabricated or custom-built, made […]

Losing a limb obviously isn’t easy. It can be just as difficult on you emotionally and mentally as it is physically. But it’s important to remember that you’re never alone. In addition to the support offered but your practitioner team, there are many organizations and resources out there to help and support you through this […]

There’s no doubt that advanced technology makes the world go ‘round. But self-driving cars and super-computers aren’t the only industries that use high-end tech to keep people moving forward. The orthotic and prosthetic field has made great use of microprocessors to keep patients mobile. They might not move as fast as a Tesla, but they’ll […]

Limb loss is a major, life-changing event and not everyone has access or knows about the options available. Especially when it comes to upper-extremity amputees. When we talk about prosthetic solutions, it’s common to think about the lower extremities. But we can’t forget those with upper-extremity amputations, as they can be just as complex. As […]

Most of us think we have an idea of what a prosthetic looks like. There’s the obviously visual: the prosthetic socket, which contains the residual limb, along with different knees and feet that are also visible. What may be surprising is there are many other, often unseen, components that play a crucial role in the […]

Amputations can occur at many different levels and on any limb. Most are familiar with lower limb amputation as new and exciting “robotic” technology in prosthetic legs seems to get people’s attention. What may come as a shock is that partial foot amputations are actually one of the most common; nearly 75% of all lower […]