At Corpus Christi Prosthetics, Scott Vicknair works with some of the most technologically advanced prosthetics around today, however even he marvels at the devices, how they work and what they can do.
Vicknair is wide-eyed and grins as he demonstrates how a space-age looking myoelectric hand made of a carbon skeleton fluently moves from an open position to a tightly clenched fist, and how it’s all triggered by tiny sensors lining the inside of a prosthetic socket which picks up electrical signals given off by muscles.
“There are always advancements in componentry, but the newest things are the direction where the myoelectric hands are going,” Scott said. “It used to be that the old myoelectrics used to just move with two fingers and the other three were static. Now, you have all five digits moving independently of each other. That’s a huge advancement.”
These are cutting-edge prosthetics. Some have to be charged nightly, and most are now tweaked by computers plugged into the device by a USB port or a simple smartphone app.
It’s all seemingly a world away from when Corpus Christi Prosthetics founder John Vicknair Jr. began working with prosthetics at 17-years-old. Vicknair began his career in the industry as a young man in Louisiana more than 50 years ago.
“Back then, prosthetics were carved from a block of wood using band saws, pulling, tools, and other hand tools and then lacquered,” Scott explained. “They were very heavy. With today’s modern prosthetics, if you have to make an adjustment or align something in a certain way, it’s very easy. You just turn this screw or that screw. When they were made out of wood, you couldn’t align those. You literally had to cut in half, wedge it, glue it back together, and then walk on it to see if it worked. Then, you would have to refinish it all over again.”
From those beginnings, an entire career began. After a few years of learning the trade, Vicknair moved to Corpus Christi and opened Corpus Christi Prosthetics in 1970. The first office building was located where today’s office sits at 1326 Santa Fe Street near downtown. With his wife, Gertrude, it became a true family business. Then, when their kids were old enough, they too lent a hand at the office, even if it was only small chores. After school usually meant cleaning up endless wood shavings and saw dust.
“I can remember as a child, this building was tiny,” Scott said. “It was nowhere what it is now. It was the same exact spot, but over the years, it grew.”
“The first day I met John, he said to me, ‘This is God’s company. I just help him run it’” -Barbie Baker, Corpus Christi Prosthetics office manager
Over the years, a lot has changed. The building is much larger and the wood shavings and saw dust are gone. Still, the foundation which helped make Corpus Christi Prosthetics a pillar in the industry and the community are still here. John Vicknair remains an active part of day-to-day operations, and he continues to give back to the Coastal Bend community.
“The first day I met John, he said to me, ‘This is God’s company. I just help him run it,’” recalled office manager Barbie Baker. “Everything he’s doing with this company and everything he’s done for the company is based off that.”
The Vicknair children are all grown up and each plays a major part. Angela Vicknair is the company’s CFO and COO. Troy Vicknair is a prosthetic technician, and Scott Vicknair is a certified prosthetist with a degree from Northwestern University and licensed by the state of Texas.
Together, the Vicknair’s bridge yesterday and tomorrow in the industry.
Growing up around prosthetics gave the Vicknairs a deep appreciation for the craft, especially for Scott, who is in the forefront of carrying the family business into the future.
“Scott grew up doing this and learned from what his father did, so not only is it engrained in him, but then he took it a step further and went and earned his degree in prosthetics,” Baker said. “So, he has the history and foundation of prosthetics, plus the advancements and the knowledge of taking it into the next generation.”
“Just because we give you a prothesis, doesn’t mean that we’re done with you…If there is any kind of issue or question, a patient can come back the next day if they want or in a week or two weeks.” -Scott Vicknair
Today, Corpus Christi Prosthetics is one of the only two facilities in South Texas with the capability to create complete prosthetic devices in-house. They have a full lab where sockets are custom made to correctly fit an amputation. Myoelectric devices, like hands and knees, are then attached to the sockets and adjusted to the patient’s needs. With today’s devices, almost anything is possible. “Say the user wants to be able to play golf,” Scott said. “We can make their knee flex 15 degrees and then lock when they set up so that they can swing.”
Hands can also be adjusted to several grip patterns like a carrying grip, a fist and even a computer mouse grip.
After-care is also an important part of Corpus Christi Prosthetics’ services. Patients are encouraged to return as many times as needed until they feel completely comfortable with their new device. “Just because we give you a prothesis, doesn’t mean that we’re done with you,” Scott said. “It doesn’t mean, ‘See you later, be good.’ If there is any kind of issue or question, a patient can come back the next day if they want or in a week or two weeks.”
“In order for someone to be successful with a prosthetic, you have to have community. You have to have communication between the patient, doctors, nurses, therapists and us. That gives the user the best chance for success by far. Nowadays, doctors, nurses, and everyone is so busy with so many things going on, but we believe that we have to keep that communication open between everybody for patients to be successful,” explained Scott with a smile.
For more information call either 361.888.7752 or visit www.ccprosthetics.com. Corpus Christi Prosthetics is located at 1326 Santa Fe St. in Corpus Christi, TX 78463.
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