Frequently Asked Questions about Prosthetics

Can I get my Prosthesis wet?

Getting rain and water the prosthesis will not hurt it. Some components are better than others for those who intend to be fully immersed in water. Discuss intended activities with your prosthestist so that compnents best suited are chosen for your prosthesis. Components may wear out more quickly if immersed in water andmay require more upkeep. Sometimes an amputee will wear a prosthesis to the pool, remove it to swim, and the wear the prosthesis again after drying off. sometimes a special water or shower leg is made. Most of the compnents in this system are waterproof and typically are less expensive compnents than used on the everyday prosthesis.

How many socks should I wear?

Determining sock size is probably the hardes thing to grasp about a new prosthesis. The prosthesis is a statice volume, but your leg shirnks and swells throught the day. Socks are used to take up space in the prosthesis. Too many socks can cause pressure and discomfort on the bottom of the leg and too few socks can have the same effect. Incorrect sock ply can lead to wounds on the leg. The best way to figure out sock ply is toasses how your prosthesis fits and feels. The socket of the leg should slide on with a little resistance. If it goes ont oo easily, add socks. If you can't get into it all the way, decrease sock ply. Often more socks as the day progresses. Always carry socks with you. If you have trouble getting into your prosthesis on in the morning, wear you shrinker sock at night to limit swelling.

Can I use lotion on my leg?

Lotions should not be used on the leg inside of the prosthesis. They contian perfumes and other chemicals that can actually cause the leg to greak out. If you need to use lotion, apply it at night and wash it off int he morning before putting the leg back on. Your prosthetist does have some specialmoisturizers fomulated specifically ofr and amputated leg that can be used inside of the prosthesis.

Can I get a protective cover for my leg?

Sometimes people will reqest a protective cover for their prosthesis. Its purpose is to cover and protect the components of the prosthesis. measurements of the osunds leg are taken and the cover is shaped to look similar to the shape of the sounds leg. Since a preparatory prosthesis requires many adjustments, it is notfeasible to add a cover tothis leg. A cover maybe added to a definity leg though.

My shirnker socks keep falling off, is there anything I can do?

Unfortunately, shrinker socks always tend to slip down. The sock is graded in tonsion from the bottom to the top and this tends to make them want to slip off your leg. You will have to pull them up several times thorughout the day.

Does it matter what shoes I wear with my prosthesis?

Yes, what shoes you wear will make a difference in your prosthesis fits and feels. Initially your leg will bealigned with a shoe on. When you switch shoes take note of how highthe heel is. Switching to a show with the same heel height is not a problem. Most shoes have a 3/8" heel height. If you wear shoes with more or less heel than you were originaly aligned with, it can be a problem. Let your prosthetist know that you intend to wear shoes of varying heights.