Like your car, every prosthesis requires regular maintenance to keep it working safely and comfortably. In general, an amputee should schedule a visit with his prosthetist at least once or twice a year for a "tune-up." Meanwhile, if the prosthesis becomes uncomfortable, if you develop a sore, or if something on your prosthesis breaks, you should see your prosthetist right away. Some types of prostheses require more maintenance than others. If you live far from your prosthetist's facility, you should consider this when choosing the parts for your prosthesis. Sometimes liners and bumpers need to be replaced, but a typical below-knee prosthesis will last 3-5 years.
Each evening, after taking off your prosthesis, you should wash the inside and outside of the socket with soap and water. The removable liner, if you have one, should be washed daily with soap and water and rinsed well. Any leather pieces should be cleaned on a regular basis with a leather cleaner as directed on the product's container. If you notice that a part of your prosthesis smells bad, it is probably dirty. Cleaning your prosthesis regularly will help to prevent stains and lengthen the life of its materials.
Avoid letting water into your prosthesis. If you plan to be in contact with water frequently while wearing your prosthesis, your prosthetist should be able to waterproof the artificial limb or build you a special prosthesis. Worn out or broken parts, including the liner, suspension sleeve, ankle, prosthetic sock, or foot, can be repaired or replaced by your prosthetist. Do not attempt to make repairs or modifications yourself-you may damage your device or even void the manufacturer's warranty of a component. Be aware of the weight limit on your artificial limb and avoid carrying heavy loads that will bring you over that limit.
If you notice lasting redness upon removing your prosthesis and discomfort while wearing it, your socket may be too small because your limb has grown. On the other hand, you may find that your limb has shrunk a great deal and your socket is too big. In both of these cases, notify your prosthetist so he or she can review the fit of your socket and possibly make you a new one.
To schedule an inspection and/or maintenance appointment contact our office.