logo
logo
Sign in

Tips To Take Care Of Your Prosthetic Arm Or Leg

avatar
Brittany Wolfe

Prosthetics can last anywhere between several months to some years depending on functional activity, weight changes and daily activity levels. Taking care of your artificial leg in Palm Beach Gardens is important to ensure that they last long.

 

It’s especially important to keep the socket clean. It tends to collect sweat, which can lead to skin irritation in the residual limb. On that note, you also need to take care of your skin. Routine care of prostheses will save you from costly repairs and replacements.

 

Here are some tips to take care of your prosthetic arm or leg:

 

Store Carefully

When you’re not wearing your prosthetic, store it in a way that it won’t get bumped or knocked over. You can place it against the wall or horizontally on top of something. Do not place the prosthesis in a hot place like in direct sunlight, in a parked car or near a radiator. Make sure that the area is dry before storing it.

 

Don’t Adjust Artificial Limb Yourself

If your limb feels uncomfortable, it might be tempting to adjust the prosthesis yourself. But you might do more harm than good by attempting it. Tightening the wrong screw could damage the socket and cause a malfunction. If you feel uncomfortable, then you should let a prosthetist handle your prosthetic arm in Palm Beach Gardens.

 

Check Prosthetic Every Day

It’s always a good idea to check your prosthetic for signs of cracks or damages. Some parts may come loose after regular use. Look out for loose screws, bolts or other parts every night before going to bed. If you spot something, get an appointment to get it fixed as soon as you can.

 

Pay attention to any unusual noises coming from your artificial limb. The exact type of sound may differ based on the kind of limb you use. They may include clicking, grinding, popping, scraping or squeaking. You should discuss any unusual noise with your prosthetist.

 

Clean Prosthetic Limb Every Day

Keeping the prosthetic clean is important to prevent damage to it and your limb. It’s especially important to keep the liner and the socket clean because they come in contact with the skin. Do not immerse the artificial limb in water or you could damage it. Wash and dry it.

 

If you are using prosthetics with electrical components, then you should avoid getting them wet. Your artificial limb’s manufacturers may provide instructions on how to keep it clean.

 

Watch Out For Skin Infection Or Irritation

The residual limb is covered by the socket for hours, making it vulnerable to irritation or infection due to moisture. It’s possible for a minor rash or irritation to deteriorate into an ulcer or cut. You need to monitor your limb to ensure that it’s healthy. If you notice the following signs, contact your physician or prosthetist immediately:

- Irritation

- Redness in some areas

- Breaking down of skin

- Dry or cracked skin

- Abrasions

- Ingrown or infected hair follicles

- Skin ulcers

- Discharge of fluid or pus

- Increased swelling

 

Use a mirror or ask someone for help to look for these signs.

 

Wash Residual Limb Daily

Hygiene is important to prevent skin infection on the residual limb due to the moisture trapped in the socket. You should wash your residual limb every night before going to bed. Use mild soap and water, before patting dry with a clean towel.

 

It’s better to bathe at night rather than in the morning. Your limb may swell due to the hot water or the position you bathe in, especially if your amputation is recent. The swelling might make it difficult for your prosthesis to fit when you wear it.

 

Change And Wash Socks Daily

Wearing the same prosthetic sock daily could cause it to wear early and could cause skin irritation. You should change it with a fresh sock while washing the old one daily. Change it if it becomes soaked with sweat. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to wash it.

collect
0
avatar
Brittany Wolfe
guide
Zupyak is the world’s largest content marketing community, with over 400 000 members and 3 million articles. Explore and get your content discovered.
Read more