Tips – Caring for a Lower-Limb Prosthesis

Your prosthesis is an artificial device which has been designed specifically for you to replace your amputated limb. It has to be taken care of and given regular maintenance for you to enjoy fully. The average life span of a prosthesis is 2-5 years however some people have used their prosthesis well over 5 years thanks to good care, maintenance, and replacement of some components.

The Need for Care and Maintenance 

Like any other mechanical device a prosthesis is subject to wear, tear and ageing. Good care and maintenance will reduce the effects. It is important to follow some simple instructions on the use, care and maintenance of your prosthesis.

Key Things to Avoid.

1. Your prosthesis was made specifically for you and you should enjoy it. Do not exchange your prosthesis with another person. You will not feel comfortable in someone else’s; worse, you may get hurt if you use it.

2. A prosthesis is a mechanical device made of many components. Avoid self-adjusting your prosthesis as this can lead to further complications.

3. Do not allow another person apart from a qualified professional to adjust your prosthesis.

Daily Routine

When wearing a prosthesis, it’s important to follow the below daily guidelines to help keep your prosthesis in good condition.

1. Keep your stump hygienic like any other body part. Bath it, clean it, pomade it. This helps keep your prosthesis clean. See here for more guidance.

2. Look inside your prosthesis to be sure there no objects inside the socket before you plug in your stump. 

3. While walking listen for abnormal noise such as squeaks, cracks, pistoning and air hisses. Report any strange noise or sound made by your prosthesis to your prosthetist.

4. Always wear shoes when walking with your prosthesis. Do not walk about with a bare prosthetic foot unless advised otherwise. This reduces wear on the prosthetic foot.

5. Clean your prosthesis once you take it off at the end of each day, ready for the next day. This is especially important for vacuum suspended sockets, as dirt can build up and clog the valve. With a damp piece of towel or cloth, wipe clean the in-side of your prosthetic socket. Add a mild disinfectant occasionally to be sure that your socket does not become a haven for germs. See here for more details.

6. To clean the outside, use a damp cloth to wipe off water, oil and dirt.

7. If your prosthesis uses some form of belt suspension, check it each morning before putting on your prosthesis to be sure that the belt is intact and not torn.

8. Check your stump whenever you put on or take off your prosthesis. Look out for changes in skin texture and pigmentation, particularly if you are diabetic.

Storage and Protection

Below is some advice on what to protect your prosthesis from and how to store it.

1. Leave your prosthesis against a wall where it’s unlikely to be knocked. Store it such that it’s unlikely to fall.

2. Do not turn your prosthesis upside down in storage. Some prostheses use fluids for the operation of their mechanisms. Turning upside down may cause fluid leakage.

3. Do not bring your prosthesis into, on or close to fire. It may get burned.

4. Keep gel liners and sleeves away from organic solvents to avoid damage.

5. Keep stump socks away from fire and extreme heat.

6. Protect your prosthesis from sand as best as possible. Fine sand can damage it’s moving parts.

7. Avoid organic solvents such as petrol, thinner, turpentine and acetone from contact with your prosthesis.

8. Do not leave your prosthesis in direct sunlight

9. Do not deliberately pour water onto your prosthesis

When should I talk to a prosthetist?

There are times when your lifestyle or body may change, to ensure your prosthesis functions properly you should chat with a prosthetist to understand if anything needs to adjusting.

1. If your stump has changed size or shape or your weight has changed. Your prosthesis is designed for a particular stump size, shape and body weight.

2. If you use shoes with a much higher or a much lower heel height. Your prosthesis has been aligned for a particular range of shoe heel height.

3. If your cosmetic covering is worn or torn or needs replacement. The cosmetic covering can be replaced without necessarily making a new prosthesis.

4. If you start doing new activities which are outside your normal routine. Your prosthesis is designed for certain types and levels of activities. Always confirm from your prosthetist if it is safe to carry out new activities that you have not been taught to perform. 

5. If you’re unsure about anything else, you should chat with your prosthetist.