The prosthetist will walk you through the use of your prosthetic limb so you can see how to put the limb on and how it is secured. In most cases, you’ll be introduced to your prosthetist shortly before the surgery to amputate your limb. The prosthetist will walk you through the process and describe the prosthesis you’ll be using post-surgery. [1] X Research source
When walking in a prosthetic leg, try to balance your body weight evenly between your natural limb and the prosthetic limb. Even the slightest changes in your weight can affect how your prosthetic limb fits. If you notice any blood coming out of the base of your stump after walking in the prosthesis, take the prosthesis off for the rest of the day. Being too active early on can irritate your skin and make you sore. Follow the schedule given to you by your prosthetist so you don’t hurt yourself.
Your doctor or prosthetist will give you shrinker socks when they give you your temporary and real prostheses. You can always purchase more at a medical supply store. If you were to stop wearing the shrinker sock daily, the limb could swell with blood and other fluids and would become too large to fit in the prosthesis.
The length of the residual limb plays a major role in determining how large your permanent prosthesis. For example, a leg amputated just below the hip would need a much larger prosthesis than a leg amputated 8 inches (20 cm) above the ankle. Always check with your prosthetist before you change the height of your heel since it can cause issues with your prosthesis.
Your doctor will most likely ask you to come in for monthly or bi-monthly appointments before this point, so they can inspect the residual limb and monitor its progress.
As you wear your prosthesis for longer and longer durations of time, you’ll also be able to increase the amount of activity that you can do while you wear it.
Your doctor or prosthetist may also recommend that you see a physical therapist to rebuild muscle tone in the amputated limb and to keep the residual limb flexible.
These socks should be worn over your stump and under the silicone liner. Your doctor or prosthetist can give you specialized socks, or you can purchase them at a medical supply store. Use the exercise program provided by your doctor to strengthen your muscles and gain flexibility. Strength and flexibility will allow you to do more whether you have your prosthetic limb on or not.
Not all prostheses require the use of a silicone liner. If your doctor didn’t give you a liner, you don’t need to wear one when putting on your prosthesis.
If your silicone liner has a pin at the base instead of a strap, this will work a little differently. Just push your residual limb into the prosthesis and put downward pressure on it until your pin clicks and locks. Below the cupped socket that you put your residual limb into there will be a pipe that supports the limb, followed by an extremity piece that is designed to look like a real hand, foot, or other limbs.
This will keep your prosthetic limb anchored firmly against your residual limb. It will also serve as a cushion so that the cupped part of the prosthetic limb doesn’t rub directly on your limb.
When it’s hooked into place, this strap keeps the base of the silicone liner (which contains your stump) firmly in place inside the cupped socket. This allows the prosthesis to move naturally as you walk as if it were part of your body. To remove the prosthesis, simply un-hook the Velcro, loop the strap back through the O-ring, and lift your stump out of the prosthesis’ cupped socket. Many people have prosthetic limbs that attach with a pin at the bottom of the silicone sleeve. To remove the leg, simply press in on the small button located at the bottom of the limb, just above the foot. [10] X Research source
The sleeves come in different colors and patterns (e. g. , tie-dye or camouflage) and can be purchased through medical-supply stores.
The cupped socket of your prosthesis—the part that you insert your residual limb into—won’t last forever. It will need to be replaced every 2–8 years, depending on how much you use the prosthesis and its quality. [12] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source
It takes time to get your prosthesis to fit correctly since no 2 residual limbs are exactly the same size and shape. Rather than wearing an uncomfortable prosthesis, see your prosthetist if your prosthesis feels uncomfortable, too tight, or too loose. Also contact your prosthetist if when you walk, your residual limb goes up and down in the socket. This is called “pistoning” and can lead to serious pain.
Your prosthetist will make adjustments to the prosthesis and return it to you, ready to wear. Continuing to wear the prosthesis over open sores or blisters can lead to serious infection. Sprinkle baking soda on the limb to prevent perspiration.
