What You Should Know Earlier Getting a Prosthetic Leg

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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 existent leg. Some people all the same need a cane, walker or crutches to walk with a prosthetic leg, while others can walk freely.

If you have a lower limb amputation, or you will soon, a prosthetic leg is probably an selection yous're thinking near. Amputee rehabilitation specialist Mary Keszler, One thousand.D., shares a few considerations you should accept into account commencement.

Not Everyone Benefits from a Prosthetic Leg

While many people with limb loss exercise well with their prosthetic legs, non everyone is a good candidate for a leg prosthesis. A few questions you lot may desire to talk over with your doc before opting for a prosthetic leg include:

  • Is there enough soft tissue to absorber the remaining os?
  • How much pain are you in?
  • What is the condition of the skin on the limb?
  • How much range of motility does the residue limb have?
  • Is the other leg salubrious?
  • What was your activeness level before the amputation?
  • What are your mobility goals?

The type of amputation (in a higher place or below the knee) can besides affect your conclusion. It's more often than not easier to use a beneath-the-knee prosthetic leg than an to a higher place-the-genu prosthesis. "If the knee joint is intact, the prosthetic leg takes much less effort to move and allows for more mobility," explains Keszler.

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

When information technology comes to amputation, each person is unique. The conclusion to move forward with a prosthesis should be a collaborative one between y'all and your doctor.

To get the right type and fit, it's important to work closely with your prosthetist — a human relationship you might have for life.

Mary Keszler, M.D.

Prosthetic Legs Are Not One Size Fits All

If your doctor prescribes a prosthetic leg, yous 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 even so durable materials. Depending on the location of the amputation, the leg may or may non feature functional knee and ankle joints.
  • The socket is a precise mold of your residual limb that fits snugly over the limb. It helps adhere the prosthetic leg to your body.
  • The suspension system is how the prosthesis stays fastened, 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 ain pros and cons. "To get the right type and fit, it'southward important to work closely with your prosthetist — a relationship you might take for life," recommends Keszler.

A prosthetist is a health care professional who specializes in prosthetic limbs and can assist you select the correct components. You'll accept frequent appointments, particularly in the beginning, and then information technology's of import to feel comfortable with the prosthetist you cull.

Rehabilitation Is an Ongoing, Collaborative Process

Once you lot've selected your prosthetic leg components, you will need rehabilitation to strengthen your legs, arms and cardiovascular organisation, as you acquire to walk with your new limb. You'll work closely with rehabilitation physicians, physical therapists and occupational therapists to develop a rehabilitation programme based on your mobility goals. A big role of this plan is to keep your healthy leg in good shape. "Your healthy leg is worth its weight in gold," emphasizes Keszler. "While prosthetic applied science is ever advancing, nothing tin replicate a salubrious leg."

Mary Keszler holds a prosthetic leg

Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Amputee Rehabilitation Plan

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

Getting Used to a Prosthetic Leg Isn't Easy

Learning to go around with a prosthetic leg tin be a challenge. Fifty-fifty after initial rehabilitation is over, yous might experience some problems that your prosthetist and rehabilitation team can help you manage. Common obstacles include:

  • Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), which tin impact the fit of the prosthesis and lead to skin issues.
  • Irresolute 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 residue limb, which may make it difficult to utilise the prosthesis for long periods of time.
  • Phantom limb hurting could exist intense plenty to touch 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 y'all may confront later on an amputation. "About lxxx% of people with amputations experience phantom limb pain that has no clear cause, although pain in the limb earlier amputation may exist a risk gene," says Keszler.

Mirror therapy, where you lot 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, tricking the encephalon into thinking it's still there, stopping the pain," explains Keszler.

In other cases, phantom limb hurting might stalk from some other condition affecting the residual limb, such equally sciatica or neuroma. Addressing these root causes can aid eliminate the phantom pain.

Your Leg Prosthesis Needs May Modify

At some point, you may notice that y'all aren't every bit functional as you'd like to exist with your current leg prosthesis. Perhaps your residuum limb has stabilized and you're ready to transition from a temporary prosthesis that lasts a few months to ane that can last iii to five years. Or possibly you've "outwalked" your prosthesis by moving more or differently than the prosthesis is designed for. New hurting, discomfort and lack of stability are some of the signs that it may be time to bank check in with your prosthetist to reevaluate your needs.

Your prosthetist might recommend adjusting your electric current equipment or replacing one of the components. Or yous might get a prescription for a new prosthetic leg, which happens on average every 3 to five years. If yous receive new components, it'due south important to take the time to sympathize how they work. Concrete therapy can help adjust to the new components or your new prosthetic leg.

Prosthetic Leg Engineering Is Always Evolving

At that place are always new developments in prosthetic limb technology, such equally microprocessor-driven and activity-specific components.

  • Microprocessor joints feature estimator chips and sensors to provide a more than natural gait. They may even have dissimilar modes for walking on flat surfaces or upward and down the stairs.
  • In that location are besides specialized prosthetic legs for dissimilar activities, such as running, showering or pond, which you lot can switch to as needed. In some cases, your everyday prosthetic leg can be modified past your prosthetist to serve different purposes.
  • Osseointegration surgery is some other pick. This procedure involves the insertion of a metallic implant directly into the bone, so there is no need for a socket. The prosthetic leg and so attaches directly to that implant. While this procedure is not right for everyone and is still under study, it tin can provide improved range of move and sensory perception.

It's important to remember that you're non alone in navigating the many different prosthetic leg options. Your care team will help you weigh the pros and cons of each and determine on the ideal prosthetic leg that matches your lifestyle.