Taking care
of your prosthetic limbs and skin is paramount to ensure the health of both. If
you don’t, bacteria can easily flourish within your socket – leading to
troubling abrasions or even more severe infections that may cause ulcerations
and prevent usage for an extended period. To safeguard yourself against this
possibility, make sure proper limb and skincare are always a top priority!
Limb Care
·
If you are a new amputee, it’s better to take a bath or shower at night
rather than in the morning, as your limb will swell in hot water or when
dangling as you sit or stand to shower, making it difficult to put on your
prosthesis. In the beginning, you should use a shrinker at night, and put on
your prosthesis when you get up from the bed – in other words, don’t let your
leg hang down or it will swell. As time goes by, this will become less necessary.
·
If you have a transtibial (below-knee) amputation, never sit or sleep
with a pillow under your knee, as this will lead to a contracture (inability to
straighten the knee).
·
If you have a transfemoral (above-knee) amputation, do not sleep with:
o
Your limb resting on a pillow, as this promotes a hip flexion
contracture (inability to completely straighten your hip)
o
A pillow between your legs, as this lengthens the inner thigh muscle
that helps you keep your legs together when you walk, and shortens the outer
thigh muscles so that you walk and stand with your feet apart.
·
Do not rest your limb over the handle piece of your crutches.
·
Do stretching exercises daily to make sure that you can straighten your
knee and hip; this makes walking, and even lying in bed, more comfortable.
Skin Care
·
Wash your limb with mild soap and water every day (more often if you
sweat heavily) and pat it dry with a soft towel. Be patient and allow it to dry
completely. If this is not done, you will be at risk for fungal growth that could
lead to infection or abrasion.
·
Check your limb for red pressure patches that last more than a few
minutes after you remove your prosthesis; these may be a sign that the socket
needs checking. If left untended, these red patches may result in skin breakdown.
·
Check for skin breakdown twice a day – if you can’t see the end of your
residual limb, use a mirror. This is particularly important for people with
diabetes.
·
Softening cream should only be used if the skin is extremely dry and at
risk of cracking. It should only be used temporarily unless cleared by your
doctor.
·
Do not use talcum powder on your limb, as it can ball up and create an
abrasion. If you must use a powder, cornstarch is better.
·
Do not use alcohol or unknown chemicals/ creams on your limb.
·
Remember – your limb is covered all the time, so be very careful if you
expose it to the sun. Use sunscreen SPF 30 or better.
·
Do not shave your limb; the resulting short hairs get pushed back into
your skin, becoming ingrown hairs that can become infected.
·
If the skin of your limb opens, go straight to your doctor and
prosthetist.
·
If you are having a fit problem with your socket, causing skin
breakdown, go to your prosthetist for an adjustment. If the breakdown is
infected, you will need to go to your physician as well. Stop using the
prosthesis; have crutches and a wheelchair for backup.
·
If you have a skin breakdown, don’t use a prosthesis. Put a clean
dressing/band-aid on the area daily and see your doctor or prosthetist. Don’t
“pad” a pressure area, as that creates additional pressure and will make it
worse.
·
A red spot that turns into an ulcer can mean weeks without being able to
use your prosthesis. Stop using the prosthesis and call your
prosthetist/doctor.
·
If you have reduced or no sensation in your residual limb, check your
limb more frequently during the day and don’t put it in hot water or expose it
to the sun – it will burn and blister.
Prosthetic Care
·
Wash anything that makes skin contact (liners, socks, the inside of the
socket, etc.) every day with mild soap and water and allow plenty of time to
dry. Follow manufacturers’ instructions for care of liners. Unless specifically
instructed, do not use anything containing alcohol or unknown chemicals.
·
You should know the landmarks of when your socket fits correctly; if you
don’t, ask your prosthetist to show you. If your socket is too big or too
small, visit your prosthetist immediately.
·
Make sure your shoe height is correct for your prosthesis or your
alignment will be wrong, putting a strain on your residual limb and surrounding
joints.
·
Keep a “leg” bag handy with items you might need in an emergency (stump
socks, pull socks or bandages, antibiotic ointment, antihistamine ointment,
etc.).
·
Remember – the fit of your prosthesis changes during the day, so add
socks when needed.
·
If you are having trouble with the prosthesis or liner, do not make your
own adjustments or alter the prosthesis/ liner – call your prosthetist
immediately.