Understandably, this is probably a
stressful time in your life. The loss of a limb can be scary. Many people wonder
how limb loss will affect their work, their relationships, their body image, and
their ability to participate in activities and society. Few people understand
the process of getting their first artificial limb and most are unaware of how
it will work and what it will enable them to do. Uncertainty of the future can
be a source of anxiety too. A very common concern relates to how the new limb
will look. If you have questions and concerns like these, you are not alone.
This document will help you understand these and other issues. Another fine
resource is our caring staff. We understand your difficulties and know the
answers to the kinds of questions you are likely to have. Please call or come
in, we don’t charge to talk!
The first point to keep in mind is
that a diseased appendage can be a terrible burden in terms of health and
function. Amputation is often an opportunity for a fresh start after disease has
robbed the limb and its owner of functionality. Patients are sometimes able to
achieve a higher level of health and function after amputation with the aid of
an artificial limb. Amputation, for some, is the first step to recovery.
Of course not everyone loses an
arm or leg as a result of disease. Some losses are due to tragic accidents.
It’s a bit harder to be optimistic about an amputation when it is not rescuing
you from the ravages of disease, however all is not lost. There is incredible
potential for return to normalcy. Most seasoned amputees reflect that the impact
of limb loss is not as dire as they first had believed!
Almost any activity you were able
to perform prior to amputation will be yours to perform after! You will be able
to continue in your work, hobbies, social activities and relationships. Granted,
you may have to make small adaptations to your approach but this won’t stop
you. Amputees have climbed
Mount Everest
, fly airplanes, work in every profession, support families, water-ski, swim,
compete athletically, go grocery shopping, and enjoy life without limitations.
One thing to remember, however, is this: if you were not an Olympic athlete
before amputation, a prosthesis won’t make you into one! Our goal in
prosthetics is to restore you to pre-amputation functional ability.
A prosthesis is a mechanical
replacement for a lost limb. Its first duty is to restore lost function. Its
second duty is to give a cosmetically pleasing appearance of normalcy without
sacrificing function. It must be stated, however, that no prosthesis will fool
anyone into believing it is the real thing. Anyone who looks close enough will
realize the limb is not real. Modern prosthetic devices go a long way toward
creating the illusion of reality though. They are made with soft exteriors that
simulate the turgor of muscle, and convincing skin-like coverings. Most amputees
are satisfied with the appearance of a finished prosthesis. Keep in mind that,
with a pant leg or sleeve covering the prosthesis, the only thing left to signal
that a prosthesis is being worn is how you use it. With practice, and possibly
some physical therapy, you can learn to use your prostheses in a very natural
way.
Your prosthetist can make your
prosthesis to best adapt to your life-style and personal set of needs and
expectations. From the very beginning we seek information about how you intend
to use your prosthesis. This information will affect how we build the prosthesis
and what materials and components we choose to use. Talk with your prosthetist
and become an active part of your recovery!
For some, the very first step
after an amputation is the application of an immediate post-operative prosthesis
(IPOP) or a post-surgical rigid dressing. This is a prosthesis that is applied
while you are still anesthetized. You will wake up with a prosthesis already on!
The real role of this prosthesis is to help you heal properly and to protect and
compress your residual limb. You will not use this prosthesis for walking, but
your physical therapist may have you do positional exercises to help you
acclimate to the feel of a real prosthesis. An IPOP is generally worn for 2
weeks while you heal. Your doctor will decide if an IPOP is right for your
recovery.
All new amputees will wear a
sock-like compression garment called a “shrinker”. The purpose of a shrinker is to
compress the soft tissues of the residual limb to prevent post-operative
swelling and promote healing. The shrinker helps shape the residual limb and
prepares it for the temporary prosthesis (see below). A shrinker is worn until
the incision is healed. This is often just a few weeks.
When your incision heals, a
plaster cast will be made over your residual limb, and promptly removed. This
provides us with an exact model of your limb over which we can build your first
socket and prosthesis. Your first prosthesis is referred to as a “temporary”
prosthesis. This is because you will soon loose muscle mass (atrophy) to the
point that it no longer fits. This process may take months before you reach a
stable, “mature” state. Once your limb is no longer changing, the
process starts over and a definitive “permanent” prosthesis will be
manufactured for you. Because the temporary prosthesis will not last very long,
less attention will be paid to cosmetic refinements. It is thought of as a
prototype that is used to fine-tune your specific comfort preferences.
Your permanent prosthesis comes
last. This prosthesis will have all of the cosmetic features that make it look
complete. It will be of service for many years to come, but will require regular
maintenance. It is important that you and your prosthetist become a team for
life to ensure your life-long satisfaction.
