What You Should Know Before Getting a Prosthetic Leg

Prosthetic legs, or prostheses, can help people with leg amputations get around more easily. They mimic the function and, sometimes, even the appearance of a real leg. Some people still need a cane, walker or crutches to walk with a prosthetic leg, while others can walk freely.

Wonderfu are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.

If you have a lower limb amputation, or you will soon, a prosthetic leg is probably an option you&#;re thinking about. There are a few considerations you should take into account first. 

Not Everyone Benefits from a Prosthetic Leg

While many people with limb loss do well with their prosthetic legs, not everyone is a good candidate for a leg prosthesis. A few questions you may want to discuss with your doctor before opting for a prosthetic leg include:

• Is there enough soft tissue to cushion the remaining bone?
• How much pain are you in?
• What is the condition of the skin on the limb?
• How much range of motion does the residual limb have?
• Is the other leg healthy?
• What was your activity level before the amputation?
• What are your mobility goals?

The type of amputation (above or below the knee) can also affect your decision. It&#;s generally easier to use a below-the-knee prosthetic leg than an above-the-knee prosthesis. If the knee joint is intact, the prosthetic leg takes much less effort to move and allows for more mobility.

The reason behind the amputation is also a factor, as it may impact the health of the residual limb. Your physical health and lifestyle are also important to consider. If you were not very active and lost your leg due to peripheral vascular disease or diabetes, for example, you will struggle more with a prosthesis than someone who was extremely active but lost a limb in a car accident.

When it comes to amputation, each person is unique. The decision to move forward with a prosthesis should be a collaborative one between you and your doctor.

Prosthetic Legs Are Not One Size Fits All

If your doctor prescribes a prosthetic leg, you might not know where to begin. It helps to understand how different parts of a prosthesis work together:

• The prosthetic leg itself is made of lightweight yet durable materials. Depending on the location of the amputation, the leg may or may not feature functional knee and ankle joints.
• The socket is a precise mold of your residual limb that fits snugly over the limb. It helps attach the prosthetic leg to your body.
• The suspension system is how the prosthesis stays attached, whether through sleeve suction, vacuum suspension/suction or distal locking through pin or lanyard.

There are numerous options for each of the above components, each with their own pros and cons. &#;To get the right type and fit, it&#;s important to work closely with your prosthetist &#; a relationship you might have for life.

A prosthetist is a health care professional who specializes in prosthetic limbs and can help you select the right components. You&#;ll have frequent appointments, especially in the beginning, so it&#;s important to feel comfortable with the prosthetist you choose.

Rehabilitation Is an Ongoing, Collaborative Process

Once you&#;ve selected your prosthetic leg components, you will need rehabilitation to strengthen your legs, arms and cardiovascular system, as you learn to walk with your new limb. You&#;ll work closely with rehabilitation physicians, physical therapists and occupational therapists to develop a rehabilitation plan based on your mobility goals. A big part of this plan is to keep your healthy leg in good shape: while prosthetic technology is always advancing, nothing can replicate a healthy leg. 

Getting Used to a Prosthetic Leg Isn&#;t Easy

Learning to get around with a prosthetic leg can be a challenge. Even after initial rehabilitation is over, you might experience some issues that your prosthetist and rehabilitation team can help you manage. Common obstacles include:

• Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), which can affect the fit of the prosthesis and lead to skin issues.
• Changing residual limb shape. This usually occurs in the first year after an amputation as the tissue settles into its more permanent shape, and may affect the fit of the socket.
• Weakness in the residual limb, which may make it difficult to use the prosthesis for long periods of time.
• Phantom limb pain could be intense enough to impact your ability to use the prosthesis.

A Note on Phantom Limb Pain

Phantom limb pain, or pain that seems to come from the amputated limb, is a very real problem that you may face after an amputation. About 80% of people with amputations experience phantom limb pain that has no clear cause, although pain in the limb before amputation may be a risk factor.

Mirror therapy, where you perform exercises with a mirror, may help with certain types of phantom limb pain. Looking at yourself in the mirror simulates the presence of the amputated leg, which can trick the brain into thinking it&#;s still there and stop the pain.

In other cases, phantom limb pain might stem from another condition affecting the residual limb, such as sciatica or neuroma. Addressing these root causes can help eliminate the phantom pain.

Your Leg Prosthesis Needs May Change

At some point, you may notice that you aren&#;t as functional as you&#;d like to be with your current leg prosthesis. Maybe your residual limb has stabilized and you&#;re ready to transition from a temporary prosthesis that lasts a few months to one that can last three to five years. Or maybe you&#;ve &#;outwalked&#; your prosthesis by moving more or differently than the prosthesis is designed for. New pain, discomfort and lack of stability are some of the signs that it may be time to check in with your prosthetist to reevaluate your needs.

Your prosthetist might recommend adjusting your current equipment or replacing one of the components. Or you might get a prescription for a new prosthetic leg, which happens on average every three to five years. If you receive new components, it&#;s important to take the time to understand how they work. Physical therapy can help adjust to the new components or your new prosthetic leg.

Prosthetic Leg Technology Is Always Evolving

There are always new developments in prosthetic limb technology, such as microprocessor-driven and activity-specific components.

• Microprocessor joints feature computer chips and sensors to provide a more natural gait. They may even have different modes for walking on flat surfaces or up and down the stairs.
• There are also specialized prosthetic legs for different activities, such as running, showering or swimming, which you can switch to as needed. In some cases, your everyday prosthetic leg can be modified by your prosthetist to serve different purposes.
• Osseointegration surgery is another option. This procedure involves the insertion of a metal implant directly into the bone, so there is no need for a socket. The prosthetic leg then attaches directly to that implant. While this procedure is not right for everyone and is still under study, it can provide improved range of motion and sensory perception.

It&#;s important to remember that you&#;re not alone in navigating the many different prosthetic leg options. Your care team will help you weigh the pros and cons of each and decide on the ideal prosthetic leg that matches your lifestyle.

Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Amputee Rehabilitation Program

Having the support of a dedicated team of experts is essential when recovering from the amputation of a limb. At Johns Hopkins, our team of physiatrists, orthotists, prosthetists, physical and occupational therapists, rehabilitation psychologists and other specialists works together to create your custom rehabilitation plan.

Learn more about our amputee rehabilitation program

Prosthetics can restore a huge part of your normal life after an amputation. For example, a prosthetic leg enhances your mobility, allows you to resume your gym sessions, and above all, gives you back your independence.

While there are many types of prostheses out there, the most crucial aspect is finding one that gives you a comfortable fit. The comfort and ease of use depend on the prosthetic socket and the utilization of prosthetic supplies.

In this article, we will look at supplies for prosthetics that improve the link between the socket and your residual limb to give you the needed comfort.

What are the Different Types of Prosthesis?

Prosthetics are artificial limbs that are fitted to replace a missing limb. There are three types of prostheses- lower limb (leg), upper limb (arm), and cosmetic prosthesis.

Lower limb prosthetics are the most common type and make up approximately 80% of all prosthetics. The majority of people who use lower-limb prosthetics are above the age of forty and are mostly amputated due to health conditions. A sizable percentage also lost limbs to car crashes, war, or other traumas.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit lower limb prosthesis for sale.

Upper limb prosthetics are common with younger patients who lose their limbs from injuries. Leg and arm prostheses are designed to restore limb functions and independence of the patient. Cosmetic prostheses are meant to mimic natural limbs but are limited in their function. This is why you should choose a prosthetic for its functionality, even though it may not have the color and shape of natural limbs.

10 Most Important Supplies for Prosthetics

Whether you are looking for a new prosthetic or parts (such as a prosthetic liner or prosthetic foot supplies) you need a reliable and experienced dealer. An experienced supplier will know exactly what you need and will help you identify possible challenges with your current prosthesis.

You can use search engines to search for &#;prosthetic supplies near me&#; and read about them before making a decision. To enhance the comfort and functionality of your prosthesis ensure the following supplies are intact.

Prosthetic Socket
The prosthetic socket is the part of the prosthesis that comes into contact with your residual limb. Therefore, prosthetics sockets are the most important part of your prosthesis. A good socket should snugly fit on your residual limb &#; it should not be too tight or too loose. If it is too tight, you will be too sweaty and uncomfortable. If it is too loose, the socket could increase rubbing and irritate the skin on your residual limb.

Although a prosthetic liner can solve some challenges with the socket, it is a good idea to get your socket checked or replaced.

Silicone Liner for Prosthetic Leg
As the prosthesis socket links the residual limb, supplies for the prosthetic leg also come with a prosthetic liner. The liner protects your skin from the prosthetic material and enhances comfort as you go about your activities. A silicone liner for a prosthetic leg is both soft and durable compared to other types of liners.

Gel Liner
Gel liners work similarly to the silicone liner for prosthetic legs but are more versatile to changes in pressure. If you are walking for long distances or headed for your workout sessions, then a gel liner would be better suited.

You can order a gel liner by searching for a prosthetic store near me.

Prosthetic Socks
Prosthetic socks cushion your residual limb from impacts and friction. The socks also help to absorb excess sweat.

If you have been using a prosthesis for some time, you may have noted the thickness of your residual limb changes with time. You can manage these changes using prosthetic socks and make your residual limb fit properly in the socket.

Simply type amputee supplies near me on your search engine to locate dealers in prosthetic foot supplies and order your prosthetic socks.

Shrinkers
Shrinkers help to control the swelling of your residual limb. Shrinkers are especially important in the morning as your residual limb is usually larger. Use the shrinkers to reduce the size of the residual limb to give it a comfortable fit in the socket.

To order a shrinker, check for amputee supplies near me on your computer.

Suspension Sleeve
If you have a below-the-knee amputation, you will need to secure suspension systems for the prosthesis. Suspension systems for prosthesis on the residual limb and the level of activity of the patient.

A prosthetic arm sleeve is an example of suspension systems for prosthesis of the upper limbs. A compression sleeve for prosthetics works as an alternative to a suspension sleeve.

Compression Sleeve for Prosthetics
A compression sleeve for prosthetics is used for patients who experience pain when using suspension sleeves.

Prosthetists also recommend compressional sleeves for patients who lose a limb at a joint level. A prosthetic arm sleeve can be a compression if it is fitted at the elbow. The prosthetic arm sleeve at the elbow allows the muscles and tendons to rest after activity.

Antiperspirants
Antiperspirant is another important supply for an amputee, especially in summer and when engaging in physical activities. Antiperspirants reduce sweating at the point of contact between your residual limb and the socket.

You can get antiperspirants at an amputee supply store in order to prepare for summer or workout sessions. You should also include antiperspirants any time you shop at an amputee supplies outlet.

Skin Dressings
If your level of activity is high or there is an issue at the socket, you will experience some level of skin irritation. The skin irritation should be dressed after every activity or at bedtime. You can get skin dressing supplies from a prosthetic store near you.

Antibacterial Soap
You will also need antibacterial soap to clean your residual limb and wash the prosthetic socks. Keeping the residual limb, liners, and socks clean enhances your comfort when using your prosthesis.

We Can Help
Regardless of how well you take care of your prosthesis, it may not last for a lifetime. You will need to replace some parts and supplies for your prosthesis from time to time.

For the best supplies for prosthetics, always ensure you source them from reliable and approved suppliers. Contact Horton&#;s Orthotics & Prosthetics today at 501-214- to place an order for supplies for prosthetic leg or arm amputee supplies.

Are you interested in learning more about Prosthetic Parts Manufacturer? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!