Searching for top-tier prosthetics and orthotics? Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics combines over a century of expertise with cutting-edge technology to provide personalized mobility solutions. Learn how Snell’s dedicated team transforms lives with compassionate, individualized care.
History and Evolution of Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics
Established over 100 years ago in 1911 by R.W. ‘Pop’ Snell, our company began as Snell’s Limbs and Braces with a dedicated goal to improve the quality of life for those facing mobility challenges. Today, we continue that mission at Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics. As a fourth-generation family-owned business, we remain committed to delivering exceptional patient care while fostering strong community ties.
Frank Snell is among the master craftsmen who have significantly shaped the evolution of what would become known as Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics. His monumental experience spanning five decades includes providing service to more than 200,000 patients and fitting upwards of 18,000 prostheses. On a local level, he has been a prosthetic consultant to the Veterans Administration Prosthetic Amputee Clinic since 1972. On a national level, when injured soldiers with significant limb loss began returning from conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Department of Defense (DoD) sought out some of the country’s most respected prosthetists to provide knowledge on how to treat them best. Frank Snell was one of only a dozen prosthetic consultants selected nationwide to participate in the DoD’s Microprocessor Knee Forum. This forum aimed to develop new prostheses that would give service-member amputees more flexibility and help them perform their military jobs better if they choose to continue active duty.
Introduction
At Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics, we recognize that life continues beyond the occurrence of limb loss or a musculoskeletal disability. Our mission is to support you as you navigate the next stages of your life with undiminished passion and enthusiasm. By combining state-of-the-art technology with compassionate care from our dedicated team, we are committed to rebuilding lives and instilling an unshakable sense of confidence in each patient.
Our ethos is simple yet profound. To provide everyone who comes through our doors the kind of thoughtful attention and kindness they would expect from someone close to them. We offer an extensive range of services, including post-mastectomy care, pedorthics, and pediatric specialties designed to cater directly to the distinct requirements of each person needing our assistance. At Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics, crafting custom-fitted solutions for individuals experiencing limb loss or dealing with sports injuries is more than just a service—it’s about delivering unparalleled lifelong orthotic and prosthetic care.
Commitment to Patient Care
Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics is fundamentally committed to providing exceptional patient care. Our steadfast promise is to deliver a level of care for our patients that is as distinctive and individualized as their own fingerprints. Throughout each phase, from initial consultations through the ongoing path of adjustment and development, Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics remains dedicated to fostering a supportive environment reminiscent of family, designed to promote recovery and advancement.
Individualized Treatment Plans
We endeavor to understand our patients’ unique life stories, goals, and challenges to provide them with effective treatment. Snell customizes its services to meet each individual’s needs, offering appropriate technology and personalized crafting for prosthetic and orthotic devices. Our holistic approach considers all aspects of a patient’s existence, including amputation level, functional requirements, durability needs, and expected changes in physical condition.
Our treatment planning is rooted in cooperative efforts. We engage intimately with the patients, their families, and rehabilitation teams to devise strategies that are not only efficient but also fully attuned to the patient’s lifestyle. Utilizing state-of-the-art design technology enables us to produce sockets contoured specifically to distribute weight evenly across a residual limb, which helps prevent pressure points while optimizing both comfort and functionality for the individuals we treat.
Advanced Technology Integration
At Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics, we’re dedicated to leading the field by embracing innovation and the latest technologies. We have consistently harnessed advanced methods like CAD/CAM and myo-orthotics, transforming how we improve patient outcomes. Ever since integrating CAD/CAM in the late 1980s, our goal has been to deliver cutting-edge solutions and those profoundly impacting lives.
We take pride in offering state-of-the-art technology, such as the Symphonie® Aqua System, which delivers numerous advantages.
- It significantly enhances both accuracy and comfort during prosthetic fittings
- Captures an exact weight-bearing mold of a residual limb using water
- Generates precise casts that lead to superior fit quality
Our commitment is demonstrated through the early adoption of pioneering myo-orthotic technologies exemplified by devices like Walk-Aide. This illustrates our continuous drive toward innovative mobility offerings designed for accessibility and effectiveness.
Lifelong Relationships with Patients
At Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics, our patient interaction goes far beyond a simple fitting—it begins an enduring relationship. We consider each patient part of our family and commit to accompanying them throughout their lifelong journey. This commitment includes ongoing care, engagement within the community, and persistent innovation—all aimed at nurturing relationships that extend well beyond our clinical setting.
Our team’s dedication to patients’ welfare evolves into a persistent connection over time, turning expert care into a bond akin to family ties.
Follow-Up Care
At Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics, we are dedicated to delivering the best care for our patients through continuous support on their path toward improved mobility. We offer:
- Biannual check-ins to maintain the safety and functionality of each patient’s prosthetic or orthotic device
- A holistic approach to care that extends beyond standard periodic assessments
- A pledge to meet the individual needs of every patient, ensuring that their equipment is always in optimal condition
Our facility readily welcomes patients who need follow-up evaluations, whether for necessary adjustments, changes, or just peace of mind. Our team is ready to deliver essential services required for our patients’ safe and confident progression. These visits also allow us a chance to evaluate ongoing comfort and progress as patients move along with life. This stands at the core of our comprehensive model of exceptional patient care.
Community Involvement
Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics is deeply rooted in the local community, and our dedication goes far beyond our clinical services. We’re actively involved in local events like the American Heart Association Heart Walk and March of Dimes to underscore our commitment to the health of those we serve. Our support for organizations such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Wounded Warrior Project reflects our determination to positively influence lives, reaching both within our circle of patients and beyond.
Snell’s team members embrace many roles—not only as donors but also as advisors and volunteers—engaging in various charitable endeavors that resonate with our principles and the interests held by those seeking prosthetic orthotic care from us. This culture of giving back is woven into who we are, enabling us to foster wellness within the community while maintaining strong ties with patient families.
Leadership in the Field
Leadership goes beyond simply holding a title. It involves creating impactful improvements. Frank Snell has been a prime example of this philosophy throughout his career, consistently raising the bar for patient care and professional practices within the industry. His profound knowledge and mentorship have played a pivotal role in advancing prosthetics and orthotics at both local and national levels.
Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics is committed to fostering emerging talent in our field through our residency program. We provide educational instruction and hands-on mentoring as part of our commitment to combat staffing shortages while maintaining the high caliber of innovative patient care that we advocate—thereby ensuring these values are imparted upon forthcoming experts within the discipline.
Technological Advancements
Embracing and integrating technological progress is a core tenet of our approach. Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics consistently integrates state-of-the-art materials and cutting-edge technology to boost our prosthetic creations’ performance characteristics, such as strength, longevity, and comfort. We utilize various modern substances, including lighter-weight thermosetting resins, acrylics, thermoplastics, and epoxy resins.
These advancements have revolutionized the enhancement of both strength and durability for prostheses.
Our dedication to pioneering new solutions is exemplified by incorporating carbon fiber materialization into our practices alongside silicone usage while harnessing advanced polymer science for contemporary limb prosthesis production. Together with microprocessor-managed devices, the implementation process allows us to offer those who use them markedly increased mobility options, improving energy efficiency along their journey forward—all culminating in an articulation range that closely mirrors natural human movement.
Overcoming Limb Loss
Every person who has had to navigate life after limb loss embarks on a distinctive path, yet what binds them is the common thread of tenacity and flexibility. Our services have empowered many such individuals to reclaim control over their lives and flourish despite their obstacles. Brandon Whitfield and Lambert Foster testify to this remarkable capacity for human resilience, demonstrating how prosthetic support can fuel victory.
The stories of Brandon Crawford immersing himself in CrossFit competitions or Dena Peckham walking down her wedding aisle just one year after an amputation underscore the transformative effect that prosthetics can hold in helping people regain autonomy and chase their dreams. At Snell, it’s our honor to accompany these inspiring individuals on their paths, observing firsthand how our patients redefine boundaries beyond limb loss.
Enhancing Mobility
Mobility is not just about movement. It symbolizes the freedom to interact with our world. At Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics, we’ve played a crucial role in enriching the lives of individuals such as Willow Tharp and Leland Arledge by opening up new opportunities for them. With our tailored orthotic solutions, they have reclaimed their mobility and are able to lead vibrant lifestyles, demonstrating that any obstacle can be overcome with proper support.
We aim to unleash the full potential of our patients by eliminating barriers through our services. Willow and Leland’s experiences bear witness to how focused efforts in improving mobility can profoundly change lives. Whether witnessing a child’s first steps or assisting a veteran in continuing service, Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics stands committed to guiding every individual along their journey toward recovery within their practice.
Innovative Services and Solutions
Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics is steadfast in its commitment to progress and invention. Our collaboration with top industry names such as Ottobock®, Fillauer®, and Össur® empowers us to equip our patients with cutting-edge orthotic and prosthetic solutions that profoundly impact their lives.
We demonstrate our pledge to impactful service delivery by adopting revolutionary technologies, including the Symphonie Aqua System Polaris. This dedication ensures we consistently enhance the quality of life of those we serve at Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics.
Custom Prosthetics
At Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics, we view the personalization of each prosthetic device as a standard to meet rather than a luxury. Our commitment is to craft every prosthesis with an eye for precision that caters to the unique needs of our patients, ensuring they experience both superior comfort and utility. Thanks to our partnerships with premier brands such as Ottobock®, Touch Bionics by Össur®, and Motion Control, we have incorporated cutting-edge elements like haptic feedback and machine learning into our prosthetic arms and hands. This technology greatly improves control while offering sensory restoration.
An outstanding testament to prosthetic innovation is the Blade XT – designed for artificial legs, enabling individuals to engage in various physical activities including running or cycling. At Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics, we focus on delivering custom-crafted orthotics that not only exude elegance but are fully functional. We empower our patients by providing them with devices that allow them unparalleled freedom so they can enjoy their lives unbounded by limitations.
Specialized Orthotics
At Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics, we understand the unique circumstances surrounding each patient’s needs. Our expertise is evident in our tailored approach to care, which spans various services, including post-mastectomy support, pediatric orthotics, and pediatric orthotics. We’re dedicated to improving mobility and enriching patients’ lives by delivering personalized attention emphasizing Snell orthotic solutions.
We take great pride in customizing every service offered at Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics to effectively meet individual requirements. By concentrating on our patients’ specific demands, we ensure not only functional recovery but also instill confidence in them to seize life’s potential through supportive care and comprehensive prosthetic and orthotic assistance.
Patient Success Stories
At Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics, we are deeply connected to the powerful life-changing moments experienced by our patients. Their successes, like Edwin Myers’ dedication to his half-century preaching career or Bobby Wright’s unyielding spirit and Arkansas roots that continually motivate others, testify to our crucial role in helping individuals reclaim their mobility and autonomy.
We don’t just have stories. We hold tangible evidence of how profoundly our mission affects those we care for. We encourage you to delve into these narratives on our “Stories of Inspiration” page at https://www.snellarkansas.com/stories-of-inspiration/ so you can truly understand the difference Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics makes. There, you’ll encounter not only names but faces marked by joy after overcoming adversity—faces adorned with smiles that reflect triumph over obstacles—and listen to footsteps imbued with a reinvigorated sense of assurance.
Office Locations
At Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics, we understand the importance of providing accessible services to ensure exceptional patient care. Our 11 locations throughout Arkansas serve as a testament to this commitment. Patients can find us in several areas, including Little Rock, North Little Rock, Bryant, Conway, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Hot Springs, Mountain Home, Russellville, and White Hall—making our specialized prosthetic and orthotic care readily available across the region.
Our dedication to serving local communities is embodied by each office’s team of professionals who prioritize patient-centered care. Whether within the lively atmosphere of Fayetteville or amid the tranquil setting of Mountain Home, patients are guaranteed consistency in quality expertise and individualized attention, synonymous with Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics’ standard for service excellence.
Embodying our pledge toward comprehensive customer service, every one of these facilities offers skilled practitioners committed fully towards ensuring optimum health outcomes for all patients who seek out Snell’s Prosthetics supportive assistance no matter what their requirement may be, thus cementing firm establishment pillars upon which rely on matters pertaining to therapeutic treatment regimens within various locales distributed about landscape those dwelling state Arkansas as well beyond its borders alike.
Check out all of our locations HERE!
Summary
As we reflect on Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics journey, it is clear that our century-long dedication to patient care has shaped not only the lives of individuals but also the field of prosthetics and orthotics itself. At the heart of our mission lies a steadfast resolve to enhance mobility, restore confidence, and build lifelong relationships with those we serve. We’ve seen how the right support can turn adversity into a story of victory, and we’re humbled to be part of such transformative experiences.
Whether through the personal touch of our custom prosthetic and orthotic solutions, the advanced technology that underpins our work, or the community support that extends far beyond our clinic doors, we remain committed to our founding values of quality, service, and care. Join us as we continue to empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives, embracing every challenge with resilience and every step with hope.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the mission of Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics?
Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics is dedicated to furnishing patients with the optimal degree of technological sophistication in prosthetics and orthotics while committing to exceptional customer service, thereby guaranteeing the highest standard of care for each individual patient.
Who makes up the team at Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics?
At Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics, patient care and service are the utmost priorities for a dedicated team consisting of prosthetists, orthotists, pedorthists, mastectomy fitters, clinical directors, and patient advocates who work together to provide the best possible care.
What kind of educational involvement does Frank Snell have?
Frank Snell has been involved in education through roles such as adjunct clinical assistant professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and as a guest lecturer for several other programs, contributing his expertise to the next generation of professionals.
How has Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics contributed to the care of injured soldiers?
Working in partnership with the Department of Defense, Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics has played a vital role in enhancing the lives of amputee service members. They have achieved this by creating prosthetic devices that offer increased flexibility and performance.
This collaboration is critically important as it greatly improves the quality of life for these soldiers who have sustained injuries. Through their efforts, Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics remains committed to delivering exceptional care through advanced orthotic and prosthetic solutions.
How does Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics engage with their local community outside of patient care?
Demonstrating their commitment to the health and vitality of their local community, Snell Prosthetics & Orthotics actively participates in charitable events, supports a range of organizations, and contributes to philanthropic service.