Tips To Help You Care For Your Prosthetic Leg
Having a limb amputated can be a very difficult thing for a person to deal with, both emotionally and physically. If you have recently undergone a leg amputation, you will have a team of professionals available to assist with your recovery. As you recover, you will most likely begin physical therapy and will be fitted for a prosthetic leg. Prosthetics technology has advanced greatly over the years, and today's prosthetic legs make it possible for a person with an amputated leg to resume regular day-to-day activities. If you want your prosthetic leg to last, you need to know what to do. Use the following tips to help you care for your prosthetic leg.
Make Sure That Your Prosthetic Fits Properly
It can take some time to adjust to having a prosthetic leg. However, wearing a prosthetic leg should not be painful or uncomfortable. In order to keep your prosthetic in good condition and protect your residual limb, it is essential to ensure that your prosthetic fits properly. If you are experiencing pain or if your residual limb develops a rash or blisters, you need to have your prosthetic re-fitted. Contact your prosthetist if you feel like your prosthetic leg does not fit properly.
Stay on Top of Cleaning
When you use a prosthetic leg, you will need to follow a strict cleaning schedule. You will need to make sure to thoroughly wash your liner, socks and shrinker socks on a daily basis. In addition, the socket of your prosthetic leg will need to be cleaned as well. When cleaning the socket of your prosthetic, simply use a soft cloth and mild soap. It is important for the socket of your prosthetic leg to be completely dry before you put it on; a good rule of thumb is to clean the socket of your prosthetic at night so it will be dry by the morning. When you take off your prosthetic, take the time to disinfect the socket to remove any germs.
Store Properly
A prosthetic leg is not inexpensive, so you don't want to risk doing anything that will damage yours or leave it unusable. This means that you need to carefully store your prosthetic when it is not in use. It is highly recommended that you store your prosthetic horizontally on a flat and stable surface. Make sure that you place your prosthetic leg somewhere where it won't fall or be knocked over.
To learn more, contact a resource like Bio Tech Prosthetics and Orthotics.