Tips To Help You Get Comfortable With A New Prosthetic Leg

While there is a big adjustment with a prosthetic leg, it can be a great blessing if you've been limited to crutches or a wheelchair. Here are a few tips to help you get used to your new prosthetic. 

Follow Orthopedist's Instructions

You may think that once you are fitted with a prosthetic, you'll be good to go. However, there are lots of instructions and rehab that you will need to go through to make the transition as smooth as possible. For instance, your orthopedist will go over all the specifications of the prosthetic so that it lasts a long time and so that you are comfortable wearing it.

Your orthopedist may recommend that you attend physical therapy so that you can strengthen your core muscles. You may need to attend gait training so that you can learn to balance and walk properly with the prosthetic. Some of this physical therapy may be similar to when you first lost your leg, as you may need to learn "transfers," which involve tasks from sitting to standing, like getting in and out of bed or sitting on the toilet.

Lastly, your orthopedist can set up mirror therapy. During this therapy, you will sit with your remaining leg stretched out in a box next to a mirror. The reflection of the remaining leg helps amputees visualize a real leg on their amputated limbs. The doctor will have you tense and relax your remaining leg, which will help to release phantom pain in the amputated leg. This technique has been shown to decrease pain and drug use.

Stay on Top of Prosthetic Alignments

As you use your prosthetic over the following months and years, you'll need to occasionally visit your orthopedist, prosthetist, and/or orthotist for a realignment. The artificial limb will receive natural wear and tear that may compromise your control over it. Even if you haven't worn the prosthetic for long, you may need an alignment of the device if you feel like

• You're fighting against a rotation of foot or knee joint
• You're developing a hitch or limp in your step
• You're walking on the edge of your foot

If components aren't properly aligned, then you could develop a repetitive strain injury (RSI) as your body tries to compensate for uncomfortable positions.

Choose the Right Suspension Sleeve

A prosthetic leg isn't attached directly to the amputated limb. Instead, you'll wear a suspension sleeve over the stump which then will slide into the prosthesis. It's common for people to develop sores on the thinner skin on their limb, so a suspension sleeve is vital to protect your body from further damage with a gel or silicone sleeve since it can dissipate pressure. Plus, it's common to sweat while wearing a prosthetic, so it's important to get a material that wicks away moisture. Lastly, the suspension sleeve creates a tight seal that secures the prosthetic, so it's important to get it properly sized by your orthopedist so that it isn't loose. He or she will also teach you how to properly take care of the sleeve so that it doesn't develop holes or odors.

Contact an orthopedist in your area or a company like Bio  Tech Prosthetics and Orthotics for more information on prosthetics.