Rinella Orthotics & Prosthetics - March 2020

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if it worked great for the first few months you had it, this does not guarantee that everything will be perfect moving forward. Residual limb changes and componentry follow-ups are crucial. Just ask any amputee; they would gladly tell anyone who is curious that upkeep is necessary at least twice a year.

So, why exactly are follow-ups every six months so important? Let’s discuss …

Fluctuations in weight, activity, medication, age, and much more can affect your fit.

If an amputee is gaining or losing weight, or even just experiencing volume changes, then a person’s prosthetic limb is likely no longer as comfortable as it used to be. A gain or loss of 10 pounds can totally change the fit of an artificial leg as well. It sure can affect a shirt size or a pant size, so we have to assume the prosthetic limb might be affected as well. New health conditions, age, functional level, and edema could also affect the fit. It is not uncommon, especially during the first six months to a year, for an amputee to undergo major changes in their residual limb. The muscles are just not being used as they once were, so the body adapts, and therefore the shape of the residual limb will go from a more swollen state to a less swollen state, then ultimately some shrinkage can occur after that. For an amputee, their prosthetic limb is with them day in and day out so they can enjoy life to the fullest. The last thing a prosthesis user wants is for the artificial limb to fail; and with its frequent usage, components will naturally become less useful and can potentially hold an amputee back. Not only can you get dulled components replaced, but you can also get them upgraded. During the course of the first six months to a year, the person may start living healthier in many instances so they can qualify for better componentry. This means less energy expended during walks and activities of daily living. Lifelong follow-up care with a prosthetist will always keep you a step ahead. We at Rinella Prosthetics and Orthotics have an amazing team of experts that cares about their patients. We can help with follow-ups for all amputees. re THE RIGHT WAY TO DONATE AFTER SPRING-CLEANING These items may be unsafe to sell, costly to ship, or impossible to refurbish effectively. When a charity regularly receives items they cannot use, they have to spend hours of manpower sorting through things that end up in the trash anyway. This process can be expensive for organizations with already-strained resources. Some local charities spend over $1,000 a year on dumpster and trash removal fees for unusable donations. While charities will have no choice but to throw unusable donations in the trash, there are services you can use to make your spring-cleaning eco-friendly, even for items you can’t donate. For example, if you have torn or stained blue jeans, reach out to Blue Jeans Go Green. This program keeps denim out of landfills by turning it into insulation. And while Goodwill can’t take your batteries or old flip phone, you can check out Call2Recycle.org to learn how to safely recycle your e-waste. Components wear down, and technology is constantly advancing.

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Your donations can be a big help to local charities. Just don’t “donate” your garbage.

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