Fillauer Clinic in Chattanooga: Custom Orthotics and Prosthetics for Adults and Children

Fillauer Clinic is an orthotic and prosthetic fabrication facility that designs, fits, and manufactures custom devices for patients with limb loss, mobility limitations, and structural support needs. Located in Chattanooga, it serves a mix of insurance-covered patients, workers' compensation cases, and cash-pay clients, with a team that includes prosthetists and orthotists certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics.

What Fillauer Clinic is

A full-service orthotic and prosthetic provider, Fillauer Clinic handles custom fabrication in-house rather than outsourcing to a laboratory. This means evaluations, fittings, adjustments, and repairs often happen the same day or within days rather than weeks. The clinic works with adults recovering from amputation, patients with cerebral palsy or stroke-related weakness, children with developmental gait concerns, and people managing diabetic foot complications. It accepts most major insurance plans, Medicare, and Medicaid, though coverage rules vary by plan and diagnosis.

Services and pricing

Orthotic devices (braces, insoles, ankle-foot orthoses) typically cost $600 to $3,500 depending on material, complexity, and whether they are custom-molded to the patient's body. Prosthetic limbs range from $5,000 to $30,000+ for microprocessor-controlled knees and feet, though insurance usually covers the device cost after the patient meets their deductible. Verify current pricing and your specific insurance coverage with the clinic, as both orthotic and prosthetic reimbursement rates change annually.

Common procedures include gait analysis (observing how you walk to determine what type of orthosis will help), mold capture (creating a custom form of your foot or limb), device training (learning to use and care for a new prosthetic or brace), and follow-up adjustments during the wearing-in period. Many patients need multiple appointments over the first month as the device is fine-tuned.

How it compares to other Chattanooga options

Fillauer Clinic competes with a smaller number of established orthotic and prosthetic providers in the region. Patients often choose Fillauer for in-house fabrication (faster turnaround) and experience with pediatric cases, which some competitors limit or refer out. If you prefer a large hospital-affiliated orthotics department with on-site physical therapy or physician oversight, you may find more integrated care at a major health system clinic. If you need a low-cost prefabricated arch support or over-the-counter ankle brace for a sports injury, a pharmacy-based option or your primary-care physician's office may be adequate and faster. Fillauer's value lies in custom work, same-week adjustments, and willingness to accept Medicaid, which not all private prosthetics practices do.

Who it suits and who it does not suit

Fillauer works well for patients with complex or long-term orthotic needs (cerebral palsy braces, custom prosthetics after amputation, pediatric foot orthotics), those who value quick adjustments and local follow-up, and people whose insurance requires a certified prosthetist or orthotist. It suits patients who need Medicare or Medicaid coverage and those comfortable with a smaller, specialized clinic atmosphere. It is not the right choice if you need emergency fracture care (that is urgent care or ER), if you want an all-in-one sports medicine center, or if you strongly prefer the convenience of a large hospital network. It is also not a walk-in facility; appointments are required.

What the first visit involves

Your first appointment includes a medical history review (previous surgeries, current pain, mobility goals), a physical exam and gait assessment if appropriate, and discussion of device options and timelines. The prosthetist or orthotist will explain what insurance will and will not cover, confirm your out-of-pocket cost, and schedule a mold-capture or fitting session if you move forward. Many patients complete fabrication within one to two weeks but may need refinements at follow-up visits. If you have insurance, bring your card and a referral from your doctor if your plan requires one.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Fillauer Clinic operates by appointment Monday through Friday; verify current hours by phone, as staffing for clinical time varies. Parking is available on-site. The clinic is located in a medical office building and is accessible by car. Public transit in Chattanooga is limited; most patients drive. If you live outside Chattanooga and need a prosthetic limb or complex orthosis, plan for multiple visits over weeks; some patients return monthly or quarterly for adjustments or new devices as their body or activity level changes.

Fillauer Clinic fills a gap between hospital-based orthotic departments and national mail-order prosthetics companies, offering custom work with accountability and same-day troubleshooting for patients in and around Chattanooga.