Things I learned about my first prosthesis.

Set the Right Expectation: This is so important because so many of us look forward to the day when we can try on our first prosthesis and start living our lives again. During my recovery, the one thing that I looked forward to was the day I could stand up, walk, and regain my independence. It was my driving force and I literally dreamed about how that day would go. Then I started to read, talk to people, and watch testimonials that painted a different picture of what that day would look like. I had to readjust my expectations. Trying on my first prosthesis was exciting but as soon as I slipped it on, stood up, and settled into my socket, I knew that I had a ton of work to do before my dream of getting back to a normal life could come true. In the beginning I could only wear it for 15 minutes at a time and I still needed crutches, which stepped down to a cane, then eventually, nothing at all. What helped me to not be disappointed was having the right mindset that this was just the first step, of many, of getting back in the game.

Your First Prosthesis is not very comfortable: Because your prosthesis is not a part of you but rather something attached to you, you never really forget that you have it on.  Having been on one for a couple of years now, there is not one step I take where I don’t realize I wear a prosthesis. For me, its not gotten so comfortable that I forget I’m wearing it. That day may come, just not here yet. In the beginning, it is extremely uncomfortable due to several factors. First, depending on the level of amputation, that part of your residual limb was not designed to be the end of your leg. The nerves, the muscles, your newly healed incision, all have to get used to their new role as part of your body. After a few minutes of taking steps, I was ready to take it off for a while. It woke up some of the nerves that were dormant and I dealt with a whole different set of aches and pains. Also, your residual limb has to get used to being in a prosthesis for hours at a time. Your socket can be a very unforgiving environment for your skin so it stands to reason that your leg needs some time to adjust to its new home. Secondly, an ill-fitting prosthesis can make your life very difficult. It is vitally important that you communicate everything, no matter how small, to your prosthetist so that they may make the proper adjustments. Eventually you will get there, but it is indeed a process of trial and error.

They are not one and done: Your first prosthesis will not be your last, not by a long shot. In the first year or two, your leg will go through some very drastic changes (reduced swelling, muscle atrophy, weight loss/gain, etc.), that you will constantly be in your prosthetist office making adjustments. Once all of the adjustments that can be made to the prosthesis are made to ensure proper socket fit, before you know it, you are getting fitted for a new one. I am over 2 years in and we are working on getting a fourth prosthesis. Mind you, everyone is different but your first prosthesis will be the first of many over your lifetime.

Develop a good, no great relationship with your prosthetist: I can not stress enough how important this is. It is imperative that you pick a prosthetist that you feel comfortable with, that you have a good working relationship with, and that you can communicate with. You have to feel as if your well being and getting the best fitting prosthesis for you is their number one objective and they see you as a person with a life, not just another patient. You must be able to communicate how the prothesis feels and be very specific. There are some prosthetists that are amputees as well, but even with that, they may not know exactly how your leg is feeling. My prosthetist had an active role in my physical therapy and communicated with my PT to ensure that I was getting the proper gait, dynamic movement, strength, and balance training that I needed. We communicate via email in between visits to strategize our next moves as it relates to my prosthesis. He gives me new things to try and solicits feedback. He holds me accountable for my part in the process. He ultimately understands that my success is also his success and he wants to see me accomplish the things that I want to do. Whether that’s ride a bicycle, run, swim, golf, whatever, if I want to be able to do it, he wants to help me get there. If you are uncertain or don’t feel like your prosthetist is all in for you, don’t be afraid to make a change. Just like everything else, some are better then others and when it comes to you being able to live a fulfilled life, don’t compromise on having a good prosthetist.

Even though the journey to finding a good fitting prothesis and prosthetist may seem daunting, it is worth putting in the time and effort to obtain both.  I have known people that have been successful in half the time it has taken me and others that have struggled for years.  Everyone’s situation is different.  My advice, don’t give up and don’t compromise, your quality of life depends on it.