Preparing for a Prosthetic Limb

At Durrett’s Orthotics & Prosthetics, our team is here to assist you with every stage of the prosthesis process—from consultation to fitting and beyond.

Prioritize Your Health

No matter how much time you have to get prepared for your surgery, use it to get as healthy as possible. You can take steps to improve your health regardless of your physical mobility. Cut out junk food and alcohol from your diet. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about programs to help you quit. Healthier bodies can recover faster following surgery.

Remember that your mental health is just as essential as your physical health, and talking to a counselor before and after your procedure can help you cope with the loss of your limb and the changes your body is going through.

Proper Residual Limb Position

You must keep your residual limb in the proper position to help prevent muscles from shortening and becoming tight, also known as contracture. Remembering these key things can help you maintain good limb position:

• Support your limb with an amputee board when seated. Don’t let your residual limb hang or dangle, as this will strain the muscles and nerves in your residual limb.
• Avoid propping your residual limb on pillows when you sit or lie down. Keeping the limb and knee as straight as possible will help the muscles remain flexible.
• For above-the-knee amputations, keep your residual limb close to your intact leg. Allowing the two to separate can make it more challenging to walk with a prosthesis in the future.

Maintain Muscle Strength

Strong, flexible muscles are one of the best tools to have before using a prosthetic limb. You’ll receive instructions for exercises to perform while in the hospital. It’s vital for you to complete them as instructed and to follow the advice of your physical therapist.

Desensitizing the Residual Limb

Your residual limb will be incredibly sensitive following your amputation. You may want to avoid touching it, but this will only increase the sensitivity. You can help desensitize the area by using light pressure to rub, massage, and tap the skin. As your tolerance increases, you can use more force. Desensitization is crucial for a comfortable prosthesis fitting.

Using a Compression Stocking

Even after you have healed, your residual limb is still susceptible to swelling, and wearing a compression or shrinker stocking can help. A shrinker applies even, consistent pressure, which can help reduce swelling when worn throughout the day and night.

Daily Care for the Surgical Site

Keeping the incision site and surrounding area clean and dry is essential to progress toward wearing a prosthetic limb. Wash the area at least once daily with running water and mild soap. Your doctor may prescribe an antibacterial soap. Use a washcloth to gently cleanse the entire area while paying extra attention to the skin behind your knee and at the bottom of your residual limb. Dry the area thoroughly after washing to prevent moisture from settling between your shrinker sock and skin. Lastly, wear a clean protective garment, if necessary, each day. When you sweat, your skin leaves salt and bacteria behind, and you don’t want these coming into contact with your limb.

Contact Us

Durrett’s Orthotics & Prosthetics has been serving the area since 1958. We provide a comprehensive range of services for pediatric and adult patients in comfortable, state-of-the-art offices. Visit one of our two convenient locations in Edgewood, KY, or Lawrenceburg, IN, or contact us online to schedule your evaluation.

We are happy to serve the areas of Erlanger, Florence, Covington, Fort Thomas, Union, Walton, Edgewood, Oakbrook, Taylorsport, Fort Mitchell, Hebron, Beaverlick, Burlington, Belleview, Independence, Newport, Verona, Elsmere, KY, and Cincinnati, OH.