Your New Limb: What to Expect With the majority of amputations resulting from diabetes, it’s no surprise that many of our patients require prostheses for their lower body: their feet or legs. Adjusting to a new lower body limb can take some time and rehabilitation, but you can improve
your mobility, balance, and overall quality of life. Here is a general timeline of what to expect: Step 1: Initial Healing and Preparation
After your amputation, your main focus will be keeping the surgical site clean and healthy, which is essential to prevent infection. Before you can get measured for your new prostheses, you’ll need to wait for any swelling to go down, usually with the help of a shrinker. This specialized stocking compresses your residual limb, helping to ensure a proper fit. Step 2: Designing and Fitting the Prosthesis This is where our CPOs step in! Using state-of-the-art technology and careful measurements of your residual limb, we’ll create a custom prosthetic design that fits your needs and activity level. There are several different types of prosthetic limbs — some for everyday use and some specially designed for more strenuous activity. We can find the right device for you. Once the design is complete, we send it off to our production center. When it’s ready, we’ll bring you back to the clinic to check the fit and ensure your new limb is snug and comfortable. Step 3: Learning to Use Your New Limb Once your prosthesis is fitted, we’ll refer you to a physical therapist who can help you adjust to your limb. You’ll undergo gait training to relearn balance and weight distribution. You’ll also work on rebuilding your physical stamina and learn adaptive techniques to tackle any challenge that comes your way – whether that’s uneven terrain or a flight of stairs. Step 4: Regular Updates and Check-Ins
The first limb you receive after your amputation likely won’t be your only one. It’s important to visit us for regular check-ups to ensure your device still fits properly and works as it should. You might also find you want an upgrade as you become more comfortable with your new device and discover all the different recreational activities you can do — from skiing to biking! Schedule an Appointment to Learn More Do you think you or a loved one might need a limb replacement in the future? Or are you a seasoned pro who needs a tune-up? Either way, the team at Howard Orthotics & Prosthetics is here to help! Give us a call to schedule an appointment — we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.
Call Today! (315) 786-8973
Made with FlippingBook Converter PDF to HTML5