Prosthetic legs are really helpful for those with leg amputations by making it easier for them to move around and help them live an independent life. If you had an active lifestyle before the amputation, then prosthetic limbs in Port St. Lucie can help maintain an active lifestyle.
You can get a prosthetic leg as soon as your residual limb heals completely. So, if you’re planning to get a prosthetic leg then the following are some things you should know before getting a leg prosthesis.
Everyone does not benefit from a prosthetic leg
While most amputees do benefit from a prosthetic leg but that does not mean everyone is suitable to get a leg prosthesis. The type of amputation affects your choice of a prosthetic leg. Amputation below the knee makes it easy to get a leg prosthesis and offers increased mobility while above the knee prosthesis is not that easy.
Also, your lifestyle and physical health also factor in the choice of prosthesis. If you did not have an active lifestyle and lost your leg due to a peripheral vascular disease or diabetes then you’ll find it hard to manage your prosthesis then those who have been extremely active and lost their limb due to an accident. Before you get a leg prosthesis, it is better to discuss everything with your doctor.
Rehabilitation for leg prosthesis is an ongoing process
Once you have selected a leg prosthesis, you will need to undertake a collaborative approach towards rehabilitation and also remember that the rehabilitation is an ongoing process with a leg prosthesis. Rehabilitation is essential to strengthening your legs, arms, and overall cardiovascular health. Your prosthetist will be a big part of your aftercare as you learn to walk with your new prosthetic leg. Your prosthetists along with physical therapists will develop a rehabilitation plan to achieve your mobility goal.
There is no ‘one size fits all’ philosophy
When it comes to artificial limbs in Port St. Lucie, the prosthesis needs to be customized as per the amputee’s needs and requirements. The type of your amputation will decide how the prosthetic leg will work and what functionalities they serve.
Based on the location of your amputation, the artificial leg may or may not feature a knee joint or an ankle joint. Also, the socket needs to be precisely designed so that the prosthetic leg fits snugly over your residual limb. The type of the amputation also decides if the suspension system, through which the leg is attached to the limb will be a sleeve suction, vacuum suction or distal locking.
It’s not as easy to get used to a prosthetic leg
Moving around with an artificial leg can be quite challenging and even after the initial rehabilitation, you might face some issues with the prosthesis. Some common problems that can arise for people with the prosthesis are excessive sweating in their prosthesis, weakness in the residual limb making it difficult to use the prosthetic limb for a long duration of time, the change in the shape of the residual limb that usually takes place in the first year after amputation or the phantom limb pain that is often experienced by amputees.
Your prosthesis needs may change over time
When you’ve used the prosthetic leg for some time, you might notice that the leg isn’t as functional as it was before. Your residual limb may have settled and you are now ready to shift from a prosthetic that lasts a few months to one that lasts for three to five years. New pain or discomfort in your limb is often a sign that you will need to check in with your prosthetist to reevaluate your prosthesis needs. Depending on your needs, your doctor might change components in your prosthetic leg or prescribe a new prosthetic leg. If the components in the leg are changed then you’ll need to understand the workings of the components well. Physical therapy can be helpful during this process.
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