FAQ – Questions and Answers

The TOLKA, TOLKA Basic, and TOLKA Baby prostheses consist of a hand covered with a silicone glove. Additionally, you can order a prosthetic socket designed by us, including an inner socket (foam liner) and our proprietary pin connecting the hand to the socket.

If you already have your own compatible prosthetic socket and wish to purchase only the hand, we will create an appropriate adapter so that the hand can be connected to the socket.

Other accessories, such as a silicone liner, socket cover, nails, and fragrance, are available at an additional cost.

vBionic began its operations with upper-limb prostheses, which is why the majority of our products are hand prostheses. Currently, we also specialize in partial foot prostheses in the form of cosmetic restorations. In addition, we offer silicone liners, hand rehabilitation orthoses, custom silicone components, 3D scanning applications, and 3D-printed soccer shin guards.

A prosthesis is an artificial replacement for a missing body part. It is used in cases of amputation or when a limb is not fully developed from birth.

An orthosis, on the other hand, is a device used for functional impairments of the limbs, for example, in cases of hand weakness caused by a stroke, and is intended to help improve the limb’s function.

Each TOLKA prosthesis, like our cosmetic restorations, is very easy to put on — simply place it over the residual limb. The prostheses are designed to fit well, providing comfort and secure movement without falling off, while still being easy to put on and take off.

Selecting a limb prosthesis is a process that requires an individual approach and consultation with a specialist. It is essential to determine the user’s needs, activity level, and lifestyle. On the market, there are mechanical, electric, and hybrid limb prostheses, each offering different functions and levels of technological advancement. It is worth investing time in consultations and testing different prosthesis models to find the most suitable option.

Modern limb prostheses offer numerous benefits that significantly improve users’ quality of life. Thanks to advanced technologies, such as 3D printing, limb prostheses are extremely precise and comfortable. Modern models provide a natural appearance and full functionality, allowing users to perform daily activities with ease. Additional options, such as realistic nails or detachable hands, enhance both the usability and aesthetics of limb prostheses.

The TOLKA hand is connected to the prosthetic socket using a pin. The sockets we manufacture have a permanently attached pin, which allows any variant of the TOLKA prosthetic hand to be easily attached and detached, as well as rotated along the axis of the socket.

If the customer has a different socket, we adapt our TOLKA hand to fit it.

Customization of limb prostheses is a key stage that ensures maximum comfort and functionality for the user. The process begins with a thorough analysis of the patient’s anatomy and individual needs. Specialists at vBionic use advanced technologies to create a prosthesis perfectly tailored to the shape of the residual limb and the user’s preferences. As a result, each limb prosthesis is unique and meets the highest quality standards.

Yes, all of our products are designed and manufactured from start to finish in Poland by vBionic.

Limb prostheses are created by specialized companies such as vBionic, which use the latest technologies, including 3D scanning and 3D printing, to ensure an ideal fit and high quality. The production process of bionic prostheses begins with a scan of the limb, followed by printing and testing the model to ensure maximum comfort and functionality. Our offer also includes products such as hand orthoses for post-stroke patients, which help restore hand mobility and function.

People over the age of 18 who meet the relevant criteria may apply for funding to purchase a prosthesis through the Active Local Government (Aktywny Samorząd) program.

The waiting time for a finished TOLKA prosthesis is approximately one week from the moment the shape of the test socket is approved. The process of selecting and fitting the socket shape usually takes several weeks.

Thanks to the materials used, maintaining hygiene of our prostheses is very simple. Dirt on the silicone glove and the prosthetic socket can be removed with soap and water using a sponge or cloth. The inner sockets (foam liners) can be washed in a washing machine. Silicone liners should be washed in water with mild cleaning agents.

The frequency of cleaning the foam liners and silicone liners depends on the level of use and the amount of sweating of the residual limb. In some cases, cleaning may be required daily; in others, every few days is sufficient.

No. Both measurements and socket fittings can be carried out entirely remotely. Our customer care specialist supports you throughout the entire process, which we have designed to be as simple, fast, and comfortable as possible.

The TOLKA prosthesis is a functional prosthesis, which means it differs from a purely cosmetic one in that it allows the position of the fingers and wrist to be adjusted depending on the activity it is meant to assist with. The joints are bent mechanically, for example using the other hand. Once positioned, the fingers and wrist remain in the set position.

There is no single clear-cut answer. First and foremost, the postoperative wound should be healed and the scars mobilized. At that point, hardening and shaping of the residual limb can begin to prepare it for prosthetic fitting. The entire process usually takes several months. It is important to be under the care of a physician and a physiotherapist from the very beginning.

You can contact a prosthetic company or prosthetist even before the residual limb is fully ready for prosthetic fitting, in order to gather information and plan ahead. More information on post-amputation care can be found in a post on our blog.

After a limb amputation, it is important to ensure proper healing of the surgical wound and mobilization of the scar. Exercises to maintain the range of motion in the joint are also essential. Follow the recommendations of your doctor and physiotherapist regarding medication and rehabilitation, and consult a prosthetist.

The TOLKA prosthesis, when ordered as just a hand, is most often purchased by clients together with a prosthetic socket designed by vBionic. We also take special orders for custom projects, such as various attachments or grips that can be mounted on the socket, for example, a grip for a sports firearm or a trumpet. The possibilities and cost of creating such a project are assessed individually.

The right prosthesis depends on many factors, including the type and level of amputation or congenital defect, overall health, lifestyle, physical and professional activity, and the patient’s preferences. The type of prosthesis should be selected after consultation with a doctor and physiotherapist, and then with a prosthetist or prosthetic company.

The numerous benefits of using a properly fitted prosthesis include: improved quality of life, regained independence, better mental health, enhanced balance, and the ability to perform certain jobs or activities.

This varies from person to person. For some patients, getting used to the prosthesis, learning to use it, and returning to daily activities may take a few weeks, while for others it can take several months.

Initially, a patient may need support from specialists and family or friends to help learn how to use the prosthesis and adapt to the new demands. Over time, most patients are able to learn to use the prosthesis independently and adjust their daily life to the new requirements, which can reduce the need for external assistance.

The frequency of replacing a limb prosthesis depends on several factors, such as the type of prosthesis, intensity of use, and lifestyle. A prosthesis should be replaced when it becomes uncomfortable, if any component is damaged, when the warranty period has expired, or when it no longer meets the user’s needs.

For adults, funding for a prosthesis—available every three years—often influences the replacement schedule. For children, prostheses usually need to be replaced more frequently, depending on the child’s growth and activity level, sometimes even every six months to a year.

Yes, there are many opportunities to engage in sports with a prosthesis. As long as your health allows and there are no contraindications, you can choose a type of physical activity suitable for your prosthesis, or conversely, select a prosthesis tailored to the sport you want to practice. There are also specialized prostheses designed specifically for sports.

Consultations are free of charge. You are welcome to visit our office in Poznań by scheduling an appointment in advance, or you can have a consultation over the phone.

The cost of a hand prosthesis can vary depending on its type and level of technological advancement. The price of a limb prosthesis is determined by the materials used in its production, the functions it offers, and additional options such as realistic nails or the ability to detach the hand.

In Poland, there are several options for financing the purchase of a limb prosthesis, which significantly improve patients’ access to modern prosthetic solutions. The State Fund for the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons (PFRON) offers subsidies for individuals with a disability certificate. Additionally, the National Health Fund (NFZ) reimburses part of the costs associated with purchasing a prosthesis, depending on its type and functionality. Thanks to these sources of support, modern and personalized limb prostheses are becoming more accessible to a wider range of patients.