BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association
Your Data Your Rights
In 2022 Boyd Leard’s life was dramatically changed when he had his left leg amputated.
The Souris resident was struggling with diabetes and problems with blood circulation in his legs and within a year both of his legs were amputated.
First he lost his left leg below the knee. The operation occurred at Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax.
The life changing event was difficult for him. He spent the next few months adjusting into his new situation.
After six months, he went to the prosthetics department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in Charlottetown and received a prosthetic leg.
It is unclear if QEH makes its own prosthetics or sources them from other companies, since the Graphic could not get a response from Health PEI before press time.
Leard, who runs Lea-Mac Electronics and is the deputy mayor of Souris, said he spent the next few months getting fitted for the prosthetics and doing physiotherapy to learn how to walk.
It was really difficult for him to walk in the beginning.
“It took me some time to walk, but eventually I was moving well,” Leard said.
A year later, the disease took his right leg below the knee. This time the amputation was carried out closer to home at the QEH. It did not take quite as long to have the second prosthetic fitted.
Leard, who also uses a scooter to help him get around, describes the experience of having the close to home care as good. He does not have to wait for a long time to get an appointment for re-visits or consultations since he’s already in the system. And the entire cost was covered by the province.
Between April 2019 and March 2025 Health PEI spent $154,177 on multiple prosthetic companies according to Freedom of Information documents obtained by the Graphic. Artificial intelligence was used to analyze the payments. The top two companies listed are Myrdal Orthopedic Technologies from Winnipeg, which received $98,512, and Prosthetic Design Inc from Ohio, which received $46,539.
Health PEI does not cover the cost of prosthetic installations done by private companies, said Mitchell Visser, the owner of Atlantic Prosthetics Inc.
The Stratford company makes comprehensive prosthetic products, including hands, arms, legs and mastectomy products for Islanders. It also has a satellite clinic in Cape Breton.
The company receives 60 to 80 repeating clients every year from all over Atlantic Canada, but mostly from PEI and Nova Scotia.
He would like to see the PEI government cover the cost of prosthetics from private clinics, noting the government of Nova Scotia does.
“We would like to see that happen for patients’ equality,” Visser said.
The process of prosthesis making starts with “comprehensive assessment and consultation,” he said.
That includes a physical evaluation, such as residual limb condition, scarring, skin health, pain levels, muscle strength, and range of motion. It also includes psychosocial assessment to understand the patient’s goals, desired activities, home environment, barriers, and family support system. Then the prosthetics are designed tailored to patients’ needs which encompasses socket design, interface, and suspension system. After that, the shape is captured by plaster bandage, alginate or 3D scanner. Then the shapes are modified, sockets are fabricated, tested and laminated by lightweight and durable carbon fiber, fiberglass and resins. The components are attached together and fitted to the patients. Additional consultation and physiotherapy are also offered.
“The entire process can take 2-3 weeks up to 2-4 months depending on individual case complexity,” Visser explained.
The cost, depending on the level of amputation, ranges from $12,000 to more than $100,000. Currently patients pay the cost out of pocket or through insurance.
Prostheses need replacing every three to five years due to limb changes and wear.
The components and raw materials for the prosthetics are sourced from all over the world, he said. Items such as leathers, hardwares, and tools are sourced locally.
Visser said his company works with Health PEI occasionally if there are critical cases.
The Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) is a federally funded program to add coverage in under-covered areas or on under-covered issues. This content is created and submitted by participating publishers and is not edited. Access can also be gained by registering and logging in at: https://lji-ijl.ca
You can support trusted and verified news content like this.
FIPA’s news monitor subscribers, donors and funders help make these available to everyone rather than behind a paywall. We appreciate every contribution because it makes a difference.
If you found this article interesting and useful, please consider contributing here.
