How to Take Care of Your Prosthetic Limb?

There are certain situations when amputation becomes the only way to save one’s life. As distressing as it may sound to have a leg or arm removed, you should know that amputation isn’t the end of life. You can lead a healthy lifestyle even after losing your leg or arm by getting a prosthetic limb.

It is basically a prosthetic device that helps people become mobile and improve their quality of life. However, just like you care for your body, you have to care for your prosthetic limb as well. Here’s how you can do this:

4 Ways to Care for Your Prosthetic Limb

1. Clean it Regularly

Your prosthetic limb is prone to accumulating dirt, bacteria, and sweat if not cleaned regularly. So, make a point to clean it daily. Do not immerse it fully in water. Instead, clean it using a damp cloth and mild soap. Avoid using harsh cleaning agents as they have the potential to damage the material. Make sure to wash the rubber padding, inner socket (that touches the skin), and soft liner.

Generally, it is recommended to clean your prosthetic limb before hitting the bed so that it will have abundant time to dry before you can wear it again. Also, it is recommended to wear new socks and liners every day. This ensures optimal hygiene and prosthetic care while preventing the bacteria build-up caused by sweat and dampness.

2. Prevent Water Damage

Water can cause damage to sensitive mechanical components of your prosthetic limb. Furthermore, the risk of rust formation is also there. This is why it is important that you keep it away from water, particularly when you’re showering or swimming.

Those who are involved in water sports can opt for a waterproof prosthesis to ensure it stays protected against water damage. But if you’re a casual swimmer, you can take your prosthesis off and swim in an easy and relaxing manner.

3. Visit Your Doctor for Adjustments

As your prosthetic limb is a mechanical device, it is prone to malfunctioning at times. While a closer inspection may tempt you to make the adjustment on your own, it’s certainly not recommending doing this.

Always visit your prosthetist for adjustments. By attempting DIY methods, you may end up adjusting the wrong screw, which can cause further damage to the socket. Furthermore, inspect your prosthetic limb at least once a day. Take a closer look at its components and cabling, and if you find some issues, make sure to alert your prosthetist without wasting any time. Ignoring any such issue or delaying fixing it can pose a health and safety risk.

4. Store in a Proper Place

It is essential to store your prosthesis carefully when it’s not in use. For example, when you have taken it off at night or before taking a shower, prop it against a wall in a careful manner so that it doesn’t get knocked over. Make sure it’s not placed in direct sunlight or in proximity to a radiator or oven.

Limb and Skin Care Guidelines

Apart from your prosthesis, you should also care for your limb and skin for your enhanced health and mobility. The following are some of the tips you can follow for this purpose:

• Do not place a pillow beneath your limb if you have an above-knee amputation, as it can adversely impact your ability to straighten your hip completely. In addition, placing it between your legs is also not recommended as it increases the lengths of the inner thigh muscle.
• Make a habit of performing stretching exercises regularly. This will help to straighten your hip and knee and facilitate enhanced comfort when walking and lying in bed.
• Use a mild soap and water to wash your limb every day. If you sweat heavily, you may have to wash it more often. Once you have washed it, use a soft towel to pat it dry. Do not wear your prosthesis before it has completely dried. Otherwise, it poses a risk of infection.
• If red pressure patches last longer than a few minutes on your limb post removing the prosthesis, it’s possible that the socket requires checking. Observing closely can help diagnose the issue.
• Do not use softening cream on the skin daily. Only apply it when there’s a risk of skin cracking due to dryness.
• Avoid using talcum powder, alcohol, or other unknown creams on the limb.
• Avoid shaving your limb. It can result in ingrown hair, which can get infected.
• Do not wear the prosthetic limb in case of a skin breakdown. Visit your doctor before taking any sort of action.
• If the skin of your limb opens, go straight to your doctor and prosthetist.

We hope that these guidelines will help to care for your prosthesis and limb. For further assistance, feel free to schedule at Advance Care with our top prosthetist.