What You Should Know Before Getting a Prosthetic Leg

Reviewed Past:

Prosthetic legs, or prostheses, tin can assist people with leg amputations get effectually more easily. They mimic the function and, sometimes, even the appearance of a real leg. Some people nevertheless need a cane, walker or crutches to walk with a prosthetic leg, while others can walk freely.

If you have a lower limb amputation, or you will presently, a prosthetic leg is probably an option you're thinking nigh. Amputee rehabilitation specialist Mary Keszler, Chiliad.D., shares a few considerations you should accept into account commencement.

Not Everyone Benefits from a Prosthetic Leg

While many people with limb loss do well with their prosthetic legs, not everyone is a proficient candidate for a leg prosthesis. A few questions yous may want to talk over with your doctor before opting for a prosthetic leg include:

  • Is there enough soft tissue to cushion the remaining bone?
  • How much pain are you in?
  • What is the condition of the skin on the limb?
  • How much range of motion does the balance limb have?
  • Is the other leg good for you?
  • What was your activeness level before the amputation?
  • What are your mobility goals?

The blazon of amputation (above or below the knee) tin as well affect your determination. It's generally easier to use a below-the-genu prosthetic leg than an above-the-knee prosthesis. "If the knee joint is intact, the prosthetic leg takes much less attempt to move and allows for more mobility," explains Keszler.

The reason backside the amputation is also a cistron, as it may impact the wellness of the residual limb. Your concrete health and lifestyle are also 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 motorcar blow.

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

To go the right blazon and fit, information technology'southward important to work closely with your prosthetist — a human relationship yous 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 brainstorm. It helps to sympathise how different parts of a prosthesis work together:

  • The prosthetic leg itself is fabricated of lightweight yet durable materials. Depending on the location of the amputation, the leg may or may not feature functional knee and talocrural joint joints.
  • The socket is a precise mold of your rest limb that fits snugly over the limb. It helps attach the prosthetic leg to your body.
  • The suspension system is how the prosthesis stays attached, whether through sleeve suction, vacuum suspension/suction or distal locking through pin or lanyard.

There are numerous options for each of the to a higher place components, each with their own pros and cons. "To become the correct type and fit, it's important to work closely with your prosthetist — a human relationship you lot might have for life," recommends Keszler.

A prosthetist is a wellness care professional person who specializes in prosthetic limbs and can help you select the right components. You'll have frequent appointments, especially in the showtime, so it'south important to feel comfortable with the prosthetist yous cull.

Rehabilitation Is an Ongoing, Collaborative Process

Once you lot've selected your prosthetic leg components, you will need rehabilitation to strengthen your legs, artillery and cardiovascular arrangement, as you lot learn to walk with your new limb. You'll work closely with rehabilitation physicians, physical therapists and occupational therapists to develop a rehabilitation plan based on your mobility goals. A big role of this programme is to keep your good for you leg in good shape. "Your healthy leg is worth its weight in gold," emphasizes Keszler. "While prosthetic technology is e'er advancing, cypher tin can replicate a healthy leg."

Mary Keszler holds a prosthetic leg

Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Amputee Rehabilitation Plan

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

Getting Used to a Prosthetic Leg Isn't Easy

Learning to get around with a prosthetic leg can be a challenge. Fifty-fifty subsequently initial rehabilitation is over, y'all might experience some issues that your prosthetist and rehabilitation team can help y'all manage. Mutual obstacles include:

  • Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), which can affect the fit of the prosthesis and pb to pare bug.
  • Changing residual limb shape. This unremarkably occurs in the first year subsequently an amputation every bit the tissue settles into its more permanent shape, and may impact the fit of the socket.
  • Weakness in the residual limb, which may make it hard to use the prosthesis for long periods of time.
  • Phantom limb pain could be intense enough to bear upon your ability to use 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 afterward an amputation. "About 80% of people with amputations experience phantom limb pain that has no clear cause, although pain in the limb before amputation may exist a risk factor," says Keszler.

Mirror therapy, where you perform exercises with a mirror, may help with certain 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 even so there, stopping the pain," explains Keszler.

In other cases, phantom limb pain might stem from some other status affecting the balance limb, such as sciatica or neuroma. Addressing these root causes can aid eliminate the phantom pain.

Your Leg Prosthesis Needs May Change

At some signal, yous may notice that you aren't as functional as you'd like to be with your electric current leg prosthesis. Perhaps your residual limb has stabilized and you're ready to transition from a temporary prosthesis that lasts a few months to one that can terminal three 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 i of the components. Or you might get a prescription for a new prosthetic leg, which happens on boilerplate every three to five years. If you receive new components, it's important to take the time to understand how they work. Physical therapy tin can assistance conform to the new components or your new prosthetic leg.

Prosthetic Leg Technology Is Always Evolving

In that location are always new developments in prosthetic limb technology, such as microprocessor-driven and action-specific components.

  • Microprocessor joints feature figurer 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 as running, showering or swimming, which you can switch to every bit needed. In some cases, your everyday prosthetic leg can be modified by your prosthetist to serve different purposes.
  • Osseointegration surgery is another option. This procedure involves the insertion of a metal implant directly into the os, so in that location is no need for a socket. The prosthetic leg then attaches directly to that implant. While this procedure is not right for anybody and is still under study, it can provide improved range of move and sensory perception.

It's important to call back 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.