Comments Off on What to Expect When Getting Your First Prosthesis
Most amputees are ready
for their first prosthesis about six to eight weeks after surgery, after their
residual limb has healed properly. Fabricating a prosthesis generally takes
three to four weeks. In brief, here is what you can expect over the course of
several appointments.
A review of your overall health and
medical history.
Questions about your rehabilitation
goals and expectations, such as returning to work, engaging in athletic or
recreational activities, living/caregiver arrangements, and more.
Assessment of your muscle strengths
and weaknesses as well as range of motion/flexibility of the involved and
surrounding joints, not only of your residual limb, but your sound limb as
well.
Measurements of your residual limb
and your sound limb.
Creation of a plaster mold of your
residual limb to create a test socket to see how the socket fits against the
skin, compresses muscle tissue and allows room for any bony protrusions.
After modifications, a second plaster
mold and a second test socket are made.
The second test socket will include
use of prosthetic components (knees, feet, hands, elbows – depending on your
limb loss).
Assessment of your mobility or your
function with the prosthesis, and further adjustments to maximize your comfort
and fit.
Fabrication of your “permanent”
prostheses.
Your final customized prosthesis will
be fitted to you. You will receive a wearing schedule to give your body time to
get used to the prosthesis.
Follow-up visits are expected for
minor adjustments to ensure you have a comfortable, stable gait, or in the case
of an upper-limb prosthesis, comfortable use of your arm, hand, and wrist.
Continued visits to your physical
therapist are recommended to ensure you get the most from your prosthesis.
