3 Tips to Help Amputees Adjust to Prosthetic Limbs

Statistics show that nearly 1.9 million people in the United State live with some form of limb loss. Losing a limb is something that can happen to anyone. Many facilities across the nation ensure that recent amputees have artificial limbs. Innovations in the artificial limb world have created pieces made for increased comfort and functionality. Here are three tips to for getting used to the first days with a prosthetic.

1. Check for Irritation
   
   Prosthetic limbs can feel odd to someone who has recently experienced limb loss. In many cases, a prosthetist will recommend you use the limb lightly. It can take someone quite a bit of time to get used to a prosthetic limb. If you begin experiencing any redness or irritation, you’ll want to stop using the limb for a brief amount of time. You’ll want to ask your prosthetist if this redness is normal or a sign the prosthetic fits improperly. It’s common for custom prosthetics to feel out of place in the early stages of use.
2. Using a Walking Assistance Device is Wise
   
   Statistics show that 185,000 people in the United States experience an amputation. Many of these amputations involve a patient needing to learn how to walk with a prosthetic. It’s wise to use a walker or cane while learning to walk on prosthetic limbs. Having this extra sense of balance reduces the risk of suffering a painful fall. Certain types of walking boots are made to comfortably fit prosthetic feet while making overall balance easier to acheive.
3. Ensure the Prosthetic is Regularly Cleaned
   
   An important part of taking care of prosthetic limbs is keeping them clean. It is recommended that you clean a prosthetic limb at the end of each day. You’ll want to use a combination of soap and water to clean the prosthetic. After the cleaning is complete, you’ll need to dry the prosthetic with a towel. Prosthetic limbs are made to provide durable support. However, you still need to be careful when cleaning a prosthetic limb.

In closing, there are several ways to ensure prosthetic limbs are well maintained. It’s important to see how your residual limb feels after using a prosthetic. If you’re experiencing redness and irritation, it might be time to take a break from using your prosthetic limb. Many people choose to use a walking assistance device while getting used to their prosthetic limbs. You never want to rush the process of walking with a prosthetic. It’s best to use soap and water to clean prosthetic limbs, ensuring they are dried thoroughly. By the year 2050, over 3.6 million people in the United States will be living with limb loss. Many people continue to use prosthetic limbs to aid in the daily processes of life.