What to Know About Getting a Prosthetic Leg

People who are learning to use a prosthesis deal with an array of emotions. From the remorse at having lost a limb to the difficulty of physical therapy to the cost and practice of a prosthetic leg, there are various frustrations to learn to live with and decisions to make. Fortunately, however, prostheses are more common than ever, and post-amputation procedures and care have developed considerably over the past several decades. Learning to use and maintain a prosthesis no longer needs to be a frightening experience.

Amputation

• Preparing for an amputation surgery usually involves a meeting with a surgeon, therapist and prosthetist to determine what you expect the outcome to be. This is the time to discuss your goals, along with the physical and psychological effects you anticipate after the procedure. Exercises are prepared and undertaken before the surgery even begins, and you should continue these exercises after surgery. Post-surgery healing begins when a "shrinker," a specialized elastic sock, is placed over your stump. Combining the shrinker with exercises increases blood flow and decreases the possibility of phantom pains afflicting the lost limb.

After the Surgery

• Don't expect functionality of your "new" limb to be exactly the same as before the limb was lost. A prosthesis is not biologic or bionic; rather, it is a tool to help you increase the use of a lost limb. Prostheses can be made to look similar to lost limbs, although more often they are designed for optimal functionality. The remaining limb is fitted with a socket that will allow the prosthesis to slip on and off with relative ease; and after you grow accustomed to its use, the prosthesis can be relatively comfortable. You can resume many normal activities from before limb loss within months of being fitted with a prosthesis if you have the will to learn during therapy sessions.

Using a Prosethic Leg

• Therapy sessions will consist of very basic lessons, such as how to put on and remove a prosthesis, how to begin to walk and how to take care of the skin around the stump. Rehabilitation typically includes a team of therapists who will focus specifically on many of the areas that amputees worry most about, such as walking up stairs, standing for extended periods of time and walking on unlevel surfaces.

  With a positive attitude and hard work, you should expect to be using your new limb in a very functional, normal everyday-life capacity. Therapy and counseling are available to people who are having psychological or emotional difficulties in becoming used to the limb. However, most amputees find that with resilience and effort, they are extremely comfortable. Basic repairs may be taught, and warranties for the prosthetic leg are usually examined and discussed by therapists. Follow-up visits will reinforce advanced walking techniques (some people can even learn to run), and will provide for the routine maintenance and repair that any working machine requires. Sports and recreational activities are encouraged, as many people with prosthetic legs can resume normal activities after hard work and practice.