The prosthetic practitioners are able to provide amputees with the best solutions as the prosthetic technology continues to advance and evolve. Although the amputees get the best technology prosthetic treatment along with excellent customer service, there are some common issues associated with the prosthesis that discomfort the amputees.
People with prosthetic limbs have to face various issues that are not only painful but discomforting as well. If you have a prosthetic limb and are currently facing one of those issues, worry not. Here are 5 effective solutions to the most common prosthetic limb issues:
Effective Sock Management
Taking off the socks and adding them on throughout the day can be pretty difficult for the people with prosthetic limb. It is not like medication at all. It has no prescription. The bitter truth is, your prosthetist cannot give you an exact number of times you should add or take off your socks. Neither can he give you an ideal number of socks.
Your prosthetist can just tell you about your socket. But eventually, you would have to do the sock management by yourself according to how things feel. The volume of the residual limb is not visible. It is different for all people. Some might have their limb swelled in the morning while some may have less limb volume.
There’s no set of rules for effective sock management. If you have added a particular set of socks on the first day, it does not mean it's going to be that for the rest of your life.
Excellent Personal Hygiene
It is necessary to clean the interface of the prosthetic leg, especially if you are wearing a gel one because it feels like wearing a rubber boot except a pair of socks. If you won’t take care of personal hygiene on a regular basis, the chances of having potential fungal issues would increase as some designs of prosthetic limbs increase perspiration on the skin due to sealed barrier.
There are some sprays to spritz on to decrease perspiration but its recommended to use non-scented ones. PH-friendly sprays are even better for your hygiene. Moreover, apply lotions all over but do not forget to use non-scented ones.
Healthy Diet and Conditioning
It is important to eat healthily and keep a good diet. Being overweight or obese just makes your life more complicated. Remember, you can grow but your prosthesis cannot change. Involve in some kind of exercise daily. Try to hit the gym and perform exercises in a seated position. You can start with a rowing machine.
Burn as many calories as you can. Toughen your skin, your stamina, your muscles, your back by endurance training. The key to doing better is not doing at one go but rather building yourself up for it. in short, consistency is the key.
Early Physical Therapy
You might think that you do not need any kind of therapy but you need it for long-lasting positive habits. Many clients with prostheses involve in physical therapy to get their issues caught early. This helps them to address their problems regarding the prosthetic limb more easily.
Communication With Prosthetist
If something does not feel right, call your prosthetist. It is better to err on the caution side. You do not need to take out a wrench and make yourself a socket out of unused materials at your home.
This problem cannot be diagnosed over the phone. so, it is better to visit and communicate with your prosthetist whenever you must.