Tips For Adjusting To A New Prosthetic Leg
Posted on: 27 August 2020
Having a leg amputated can have a drastic effect on a person's life, both physically and psychologically. If you have recently had a leg amputated, it is completed normal to experience a wide variety of emotions. While losing your leg may feel like the worst thing that has ever happened, one upside is the fact that prosthetics have come a long way, and today's prosthetics, for example those from Bio Tech Prosthetics and Orthotics, are more advanced and varied than ever. That doesn't mean that it doesn't take time to get used to wearing a prosthetic after an amputation. Use the following tips to help you get adjusted to a new prosthetic after a leg amputation:
Be Honest About the Fit
Wearing a prosthetic leg can feel very foreign and unusual at first, as you get used to it. However, when a prosthetic leg fits properly, you should not experience any pain, discomfort, or skin issues. Thus, if you feel any discomfort when you are wearing your prosthetic leg, it is important to speak up. A good prosthetist will work with you to make adjustments and ensure that you have a prosthetic leg that you can wear on a daily basis without any issues. The sooner you bring fit issues to light, the faster they can be fixed.
Put Your Prosthetic Leg On Every Day
It will be difficult to adjust to a new prosthetic leg if you don't wear it. Once you have a prosthetic that is properly fitted and is comfortable to wear, it is in your best interest to wear it as much as possible. You may want to start out wearing your prosthetic several hours a day and then continue moving up the amount of time that you wear it until you put it on in the morning and then take it off before bed. Over time, you will begin getting used to having your prosthetic leg on, and you will be able to do all of your normal day to day activities.
Try to Manage Your Weight
One big challenge of going through a leg amputation is the fact that you will have limited mobility until you become comfortable wearing your prosthetic leg and becoming active again. As you adjust to your new prosthetic leg, try to do your best to eat a healthy diet and maintain your current weight. If you gain weight suddenly, it can affect how your prosthetic leg fits,so it may be more difficult to get around.
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