If you are a new amputee, you will need time to get used to your prosthesis. However, there are some things you can do on a regular basis to enhance and improve the use of your prosthetic wear. If you are searching for some tips to maximize the benefits of your prosthesis use to lead a normal life following the amputation, here are those:
Be A Good Patient
To recover good and lead a successful life following the amputation, you have to be a good patient. Follow whatever your prosthetist recommends or suggests to you. However, the necessary part is to examine your prosthetic leg, arm or residual limb on a regular basis for any issues that need to be addressed.
Moreover, do yourself and your doctor some good by keeping your prosthesis clean. Wear the socks if you have to as they enhance the fit.
If your doctor recommends you to wear a stump shrinker in order to reduce swelling, wear it every night to eventually mold your intact limb, arm or leg.
Avoid Procrastination
If you are facing any issue regarding your prosthesis or skin, do not procrastinate. Make an appointment with your dermatologist or your prosthetist right away. A slight fungal infection or pain can get worse in the future.
Create Goals for Yourself
Being an amputee cannot restrict you from doing anything. So, make goals for yourself. Invest your time in some physical activity. Gradually, enhance your endurance and challenge yourself to do a new task every day. This would not only make you self-reliant but would also increase your self-esteem.
Wear Your Prosthesis Everyday-Even at Home
You need to be accustomed to wearing your prosthesis. The best way to do it is to wear it regularly. Make your body used to the prosthetic wear by wearing it throughout the day till its bedtime.
Trial and Error
As an amputee, you need to try out a lot of things to get used to your residual limb, arm or leg changes. Concentrate on how you are comfortable. Try out adding and taking away full-length and partial prosthetic socks.
Do Not Forget to Exercise
After losing a limb or leg, it might be very hard for you to maintain your stability and balance. So, you would need to build muscle strength so that you can walk, stand and do normal house chores with efficient gait and a balanced body.
This would take a lot of consistency and dedication but consulting a physical therapist would be very beneficial while you are in your learning phase.
Keep an Eye on Your Weight
After amputation or prosthetic surgery, you might feel less active as it’s the initial recovery period but after that, it's good to keep an eye on your weight. Amputees need to understand that socket fit in the prosthesis cannot change according to your weight.
Try to maintain a good diet as much as possible and involve in physical activity on a regular basis.
