What You Should Know Before Getting a Prosthetic Leg

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Prosthetic legs, or prostheses, can help people with leg amputations get around more easily. They mimic the part and, sometimes, even the appearance of a real leg. Some people nevertheless need a pikestaff, walker or crutches to walk with a prosthetic leg, while others can walk freely.

If you have a lower limb amputation, or you volition shortly, a prosthetic leg is probably an pick you're thinking about. Amputee rehabilitation specialist Mary Keszler, Thou.D., shares a few considerations you should take into account first.

Non Anybody Benefits from a Prosthetic Leg

While many people with limb loss do well with their prosthetic legs, not everyone is a good candidate for a leg prosthesis. A few questions y'all may desire to discuss with your doctor before opting for a prosthetic leg include:

  • Is in that location enough soft tissue to absorber the remaining os?
  • How much pain are you in?
  • What is the condition of the skin on the limb?
  • How much range of motion does the residual limb have?
  • Is the other leg healthy?
  • What was your activity level before the amputation?
  • What are your mobility goals?

The type of amputation (to a higher place or beneath the knee) can also affect your determination. Information technology'due south by and large easier to utilise a below-the-human knee prosthetic leg than an above-the-knee prosthesis. "If the knee articulation is intact, the prosthetic leg takes much less try to move and allows for more mobility," explains Keszler.

The reason backside the amputation is too a factor, every bit it may impact the wellness of the residual limb. Your physical health and lifestyle are besides important to consider. If you were not very active and lost your leg due to peripheral vascular disease or diabetes, for example, yous will struggle more with a prosthesis than someone who was extremely active but lost a limb in a car blow.

When information technology comes to amputation, each person is unique. The decision to motility forward with a prosthesis should be a collaborative one betwixt you and your doctor.

To get the right type and fit, it's important to work closely with your prosthetist — a relationship you might have for life.

Mary Keszler, M.D.

Prosthetic Legs Are Not One Size Fits All

If your doctor prescribes a prosthetic leg, y'all might not know where to begin. Information technology helps to sympathise how different parts of a prosthesis work together:

  • The prosthetic leg itself is made of lightweight yet durable materials. Depending on the location of the amputation, the leg may or may not feature functional genu and ankle joints.
  • The socket is a precise mold of your residual limb that fits snugly over the limb. It helps attach the prosthetic leg to your body.
  • The break system is how the prosthesis stays fastened, whether through sleeve suction, vacuum intermission/suction or distal locking through pin or lanyard.

In that location are numerous options for each of the in a higher place components, each with their own pros and cons. "To get the right type and fit, it'due south important to piece of work closely with your prosthetist — a relationship you might have for life," recommends Keszler.

A prosthetist is a health care professional who specializes in prosthetic limbs and can help y'all select the right components. You'll have frequent appointments, specially in the kickoff, so information technology's important to feel comfortable with the prosthetist you lot choose.

Rehabilitation Is an Ongoing, Collaborative Process

Once you've selected your prosthetic leg components, you will need rehabilitation to strengthen your legs, arms and cardiovascular system, as you larn to walk with your new limb. Y'all'll work closely with rehabilitation physicians, physical therapists and occupational therapists to develop a rehabilitation plan based on your mobility goals. A big part of this programme is to proceed your healthy leg in good shape. "Your healthy leg is worth its weight in gold," emphasizes Keszler. "While prosthetic engineering is e'er advancing, nothing can replicate a healthy leg."

Mary Keszler holds a prosthetic leg

Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Amputee Rehabilitation Program

Having the support of a dedicated team of experts is essential when recovering from the amputation of a limb. At Johns Hopkins, our team of physiatrists, orthotists, prosthetists, concrete and occupational therapists, rehabilitation psychologists and other specialists works together to create your custom rehabilitation plan.

Getting Used to a Prosthetic Leg Isn't Easy

Learning to get around with a prosthetic leg can be a claiming. Even after initial rehabilitation is over, y'all might experience some issues that your prosthetist and rehabilitation team tin can help you manage. Mutual obstacles include:

  • Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), which can bear on the fit of the prosthesis and atomic number 82 to skin issues.
  • Irresolute residual limb shape. This usually occurs in the outset year afterwards an amputation equally the tissue settles into its more permanent shape, and may bear upon the fit of the socket.
  • Weakness in the residual limb, which may get in difficult to employ the prosthesis for long periods of fourth dimension.
  • Phantom limb pain could be intense plenty to impact your ability to utilize the prosthesis.

A Note on Phantom Limb Pain

Phantom limb pain, or pain that seems to come from the amputated limb, is a very real problem that you may face after an amputation. "Most eighty% of people with amputations experience phantom limb pain that has no clear cause, although hurting in the limb before amputation may be a risk factor," says Keszler.

Mirror therapy, where you perform exercises with a mirror, may help with sure types of phantom limb hurting. "Looking at yourself in the mirror simulates the presence of the amputated leg, tricking the brain into thinking it's notwithstanding in that location, stopping the hurting," explains Keszler.

In other cases, phantom limb pain might stalk from another condition affecting the residual limb, such as sciatica or neuroma. Addressing these root causes can assistance eliminate the phantom pain.

Your Leg Prosthesis Needs May Change

At some point, you may discover that you aren't as functional as you'd similar to be with your current leg prosthesis. Maybe your residual limb has stabilized and you're set up to transition from a temporary prosthesis that lasts a few months to ane that tin can last iii to five years. Or maybe you've "outwalked" your prosthesis by moving more or differently than the prosthesis is designed for. New pain, discomfort and lack of stability are some of the signs that it may be fourth dimension to check in with your prosthetist to reevaluate your needs.

Your prosthetist might recommend adjusting your current equipment or replacing 1 of the components. Or you might get a prescription for a new prosthetic leg, which happens on average every three to v years. If you receive new components, information technology's important to take the time to sympathise how they work. Physical therapy tin help adjust to the new components or your new prosthetic leg.

Prosthetic Leg Applied science Is Always Evolving

There are always new developments in prosthetic limb engineering science, such equally microprocessor-driven and activity-specific components.

  • Microprocessor joints feature reckoner chips and sensors to provide a more natural gait. They may even have different modes for walking on apartment surfaces or up and down the stairs.
  • There are besides specialized prosthetic legs for different activities, such equally running, showering or swimming, which you can switch to as needed. In some cases, your everyday prosthetic leg tin exist modified past your prosthetist to serve different purposes.
  • Osseointegration surgery is another option. This procedure involves the insertion of a metal implant directly into the bone, so there is no need for a socket. The prosthetic leg then attaches straight to that implant. While this process is not right for everyone and is still under study, it can provide improved range of motion and sensory perception.

It'due south important to remember that you're not alone in navigating the many different prosthetic leg options. Your care team will help you counterbalance the pros and cons of each and decide on the ideal prosthetic leg that matches your lifestyle.