There are several steps to the process of making a prosthetic limb. Like dentures, the fit is unique to each individual. To start the process of crafting a permanent prosthesis, you must wait until your limb stump has stopped shrinking and it's in a straight forward position. All major operations must be completed before a permanent prosthesis is made.
Casting Your Stump
The prosthetist will first mark your stump with a purple marker pencil to provide relief spots on your prosthesis. There are certain bones and joints that need a "relief point."
Then, the prosthetist will cast your stump with the same plaster paris-impregnated gauze mix that's used to make casts. With warm water, he will moisten the rolls which will then be molded around your limb stump.
After the limb stump is completely wrapped, the prosthetist will mark out pressure points along the bones of your stump. For instance, below-the-knee amputees will have a pressure point around the knee. When the cast has hardened, you will be asked to move your limb slightly as the prosthetist pulls off the cast. It typically takes four to six weeks until you will be called in for a fitting.
Fitting Your Temporary Limb Prosthesis
A special prosthetic leg will be used for the first fitting. This leg will be comprised of several important components. Often, the prosthetist will use a clear socket, so he can see your stump's movements and reactions while inside the socket.
Below the socket is a jig, which is a device that helps the prosthetist align your leg as you attempt to walk. It is a device that can be moved from side to side or backward and forward. The jig is used to tailor the prosthesis to your unique gait. A foot is attached below the jig.
Walking to Set Alignment
You will be asked to walk between a set of parallel bars while the technician examines your walk or gait. He may ask questions such as "Do feel like you're walking uphill?" or "Is the leg causing you to throw out your hip?"
Finding the proper alignment is important, as it will affect the fit and performance of the leg. Once the correct fit and alignment is obtained, they will allow you to go home with the prosthetic leg for a real test run that will last approximately two weeks.
Finishing the Leg
When you return to the prosthetist after the trial period, you will discuss the leg's performance. If the client and prosthetist are satisfied with the fit and performance, he will take the leg to be finished.
Before you leave, the prosthetist will draw an outline of your natural leg on a large piece of paper. This will be used to ensure that the prosthetic leg and the natural leg will look similar. In a few weeks, they will call you to come get your finished leg.
Getting Proper Care
Many amputees worry about the process of getting a prosthetic leg. But when you're working with an experienced prosthetist who is highly trained in his or her field, your mind will soon be at ease. If anything goes wrong, you are free to come back in and they will correct the issue. Getting a prosthesis built is a painless but time-consuming process. It is not completed in a few days as is often the case with dentures. The socket has to be built to fit your unique body and the appropriate parts must be ordered from suppliers, so the entire process will take well over a month.
As the baby boom population reaches sixty-five, many more people will need to have prosthetic limbs built. Many lose their limbs because of decreased or poor circulation associated with diabetes. Others lose their limbs due to accident or injury. It is more challenging for older individuals to learn how to walk on and adjust to a prosthetic limb. But with determination and effort, it can be done and the experience is a rewarding one.
Ross Carne - I am a Christian who writes. Holds a BA in Theology, and a MA in Teaching with 35 national and international magazine articles ...
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