Preparation for Your New Prosthesis
Preparation for your new prosthesis begins immediately. Following surgery, we will start the process of preparing the residual limb for the prosthesis. We need to reduce the swelling before we can make your new prosthesis. To help this process, you will be fit with a shrinker sock. The shrinker sock helps reduce edema, and protect the incision. The sock needs to be worn 24 hours per day. Also, it is important to keep the limb clean. Unless your physician has directed otherwise, wash everyday with soap and water.
During this time your physical therapist will be working with you to increase your strength. This is important. Maintaining your strength from the beginning will make the process of adapting to your new prosthesis faster and easier. Basically, we’ll shrink the residual limb and increase your overall strength during this time.
The Fitting of Your Prosthesis
The fitting of your prosthesis is a process, not an event. The initial settings on your prosthetic limb will take into consideration that you are a new amputee. As you progress with your new prosthesis, we will reevaluate your needs at each visit. At all times your safety is our primary consideration. There will be multiple visits to our office, and adjustments made to accommodate you as you advance. If you are a candidate for a more advanced device in the future, we’ll make sure you get one.
Your New Prosthesis
Your new prosthesis will be designed specifically for you. Your physical therapist has been making assessments aimed at determining your functioning level. Based on this, and other factors, we will design your new prosthesis. The goal is to create a prosthesis that that meets your needs. We will start by making an impression of the residual limb. From this model we can fabricate a socket and check the fit.
We will also fabricate a temporary prosthesis allowing you to begin weight bearing and learning to function again. As we observe you progressing, it will help us make assessments that will assist in the design of your definitive prosthetic limb. Always remember, you can have a great influence on the design of your prosthesis. It is important that you let us know your goals and ambitions.