Amputees! There are no one-day prosthesis and orthosis. Besides getting fit and perfect prosthetics, you must cross many procedures and training. Not all individuals are the same; they have different stump shapes and activity levels. So they should need personalised solutions. “Personalised” means designing the perfect fit for your needs and residual limb.
Are you interested in knowing how to get your prosthesis perfect? If so, you are in the right place to learn about essential considerations before getting an artificial leg, the fitting process and its phases, and usage. Just explore more!
Why is Prosthetic Prescription Vital?
If you want hassle-free and authentic prosthetics, then you have to follow specific guidelines.
- Infection-free stump: Before getting prosthetic solutions, you need to confirm whether your wounds have healed. Complete wound recovery is vital. You should also want a stable shape and size, not only wounds.
- Check the range of motion: Flexibility and strength are inevitable for your limb because they determine whether your leg and joints can comfortably move the prosthesis.
- Reduced swelling: If any swelling is visible in your stump, it should be controlled. Your doctor will recommend compression therapy or exercises.
- Check your overall health: Health is vital because your body should be able to accept the physical demands of wearing a prosthesis. Sometimes, you will be managing other health conditions, such as heart problems, diabetes, or any other diseases.
Analyse Yourself Before Getting an Artificial Limb:
- Do you have a strong commitment to therapy? Therapy sessions are vital for customising prosthetics; continuous practice will increase your comfort with your prosthesis.
- Are you mentally ready to adjust the prosthesis? After an amputation, positive thoughts and an interest in learning are the only assets that push you forward for all upcoming challenges.
- Have you decided on a prosthesis? You must decide on a prosthesis based on your financial capability and activity level. The cost will vary according to the features.
In short, consult your doctors and approach individualised care to meet all your needs before entering the prosthetic fitting process.
A Prosthetic Journey is Not One Man’s Journey.
This is not a one-person journey if you receive a prosthesis with perfect fit and comfort. Prosthetists and other healthcare professionals will accompany you throughout this multi-stage process. It requires commitment, patience, support, and open communication.
5 Simple Steps in Getting a Prosthetics Fitted
1. Pre- Prosthetic Phase
- Initial evaluation
After the surgery, your doctor will take complete measurements of your limb, including your range of motion, shape, strength, and skin condition. Their precise analysis of your activity level, lifestyle, and goals will make it easy to choose your prosthesis. In this phase, you will know what suits you and how to select the prosthesis wisely.
- Prosthetic prescription
The prosthetist will prescribe your prosthesis, which includes the specific type, components, and features based on your health condition and needs. This prescription will be beneficial for fabrication.
- Pre-prosthetic training
It is one of the most essential phases in the prosthetic journey. Usually, this pre-prosthetic journey will help you strengthen physically through physical therapy, which will give you the strength to prepare your limb for prosthetic usage. These exercises may focus more on strengthening the muscles, improving the range of motion, and concentrating more on swell reduction.
Ready to take the First step in your prosthetic journey? Consult with a prosthetist today to find the perfect fit!
2. Prosthetic Fitting Preparation
- Casting and molding
Casting is vital to getting an exact test prosthetic socket; if it is not done correctly, your leg will experience discomfort. This molding can be done by plaster casting or modern 3D advanced scanning technology. After the casting, the molds should capture the unique shape of your limb with the utmost comfort and fit for the socket.
- Temporary prosthetic fabrication
A preparatory prosthesis is often created to use the test socket, which is simple in design and construction. After the amputation, the residual limb becomes senseless, but with specific exercises and preparatory prosthetic limbs, you can regain your senses by practicing basic movements.
- Test socket and temporary prosthesis customisation
During the initial prosthesis, your prosthetist will check your comfort and fit. Later, they will guide you in properly donning and doffing the prosthesis. This keeps you moving by fine-tuning the test socket and alignment, ensuring the perfect fit before the final socket and prosthesis are made.
3. Prosthesis Fabrication
- Incorporating feedback
During this feedback phase, the prosthetist assesses your comfort and fit with the preparatory prosthesis. If necessary, the final prosthesis will be adjusted accordingly.
4. Fitting a Prosthesis
- Fitting final prosthesis
After all the testing, your exact prosthesis will be fitted to your residual limb. Again, the evaluation will consider your comfort, fit, and function. If necessary, additional adjustments will be made to make your prosthesis more secure and comfortable.
- Dynamic alignment
It entirely focuses on our prosthetic alignment to enhance your gait and moving patterns. You may suffer from varus and valgus deformity if it is not fitted correctly. It not only maximises the functionality of the prosthesis but also prevents you from getting pain.
- Physical therapy and gait training
Therapy is essential after an amputation to improve balance and weight distribution, help with proper walking, and strengthen the residual limb and mobility. Regarding upper limb amputation, the fitting stage may also involve training on controlling the prosthesis as an exercise for muscle strengthening in the arm and shoulder.
- Adjustments in prosthesis
In this last stage, the prosthetist will follow you to make various adjustments to ensure that your prosthesis works correctly and that you can consider any adjustments or discomforts while walking.
5. Post-Prosthesis Fitting
- Continued therapy and rehabilitation
Monitoring should also be mandatory after fitting your final prosthesis. Regular therapy helps build strength and coordination and also redefines the skills with the prosthesis.
- Lifestyle adjustments
It is not easy to accept a new prosthesis, and it will affect your daily activities. Experts can provide support and guidance and recommend adaptive devices or modifications to your home.
- Maintenance and care
You need to care for your prosthesis well for longevity. Everything from cleaning the socket to scheduling regular checkups with your doctor is vital for a better prosthetic journey.
Conclusion:
Getting a prosthesis requires dedication, steady commitment, and necessary social support. Each developmental phase serves crucial purposes in achieving comfort and mobility in the prosthesis. A prosthesis that properly fits the user improves independence, but patients need continuous therapy, periodic medical appointments, and proper maintenance to achieve long-lasting outcomes.
Maintain dedication to the process and acceptance of changes that guide you toward becoming more active in living a fulfilling life. New prosthetic patients should build their progress through manageable stages.
At KARE Prosthetics and Orthotics, we provide innovative technology to issue precise prosthetics for each individual. We are responsible for working according to your needs and activity level, will know your adaptability, and will increase your emotional intelligence by giving proper gait training. Prosthetic fitting plays an important role in the journey of amputation. Let it begin from the best place where you can regain your mobility and independence.
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