Fitting
At Scott Sabolich Ottobock.care our expert team has decades of combined experience in creating just the right fit for your prosthetic needs. We strive for maximum comfort, stability and mobility. Explore the course of action you have from surgery to completed prosthesis.
After Surgery
With your doctors approval, you should begin wrapping your residual limb with an ace bandage in a figure 8 pattern. If you, your nurse or your therapist need help with wrapping your limb feel free to call our office for more instruction. Proper wrapping is important as it assists with reducing swelling as well as helping to shape the residual limb in preparation for a prosthesis. Be careful and not wrap your limb too tight where it would cut off circulation.
Shrinker socks are typically not recommended until your sutures are removed. In some cases your physician may order a shrinker post operatively and we will just provide a slightly larger size to assist with shaping and reducing swelling. The main role of a shrinker is to help shape your limb in preparation for a prosthesis. We recommend you wear a shrinker at all times, (even during sleep) unless you are bathing or showering. After you receive your prosthesis, we recommend you wear a shrinker anytime you are not bathing, showering, swimming or wearing your prosthesis. Continuing to wear a shrinker after you receive your prosthesis will assist with keeping your limb the same shape and size.
Temporary/Preparatory Prosthesis
The first step toward recovery is a preparatory or temporary prosthesis. A temporary prosthesis is required because your residual limb may change rapidly for many months following surgery. During this time the set of the socket may require several adjustments. A temporary prosthesis my last several months but sometimes may need adjustments as frequently as weekly in the beginning stages. Depending on the size of your residual limb and how fast your swelling decreases will make a big difference in how much adjusting your temporary prosthesis may need.
Definitive Prosthesis
Once your residual limb has stabilized in size and functional level you will be fitted for a definitive prosthesis. It’s important to understand that it will not last forever. The prosthesis is fabricated from mechanical parts and sometimes they wear out or break. Your prosthesis will generally last between two and five years, depending on your age and activity level. Children who wear a prosthesis frequently require more care due to continuous growth. People who lose or gain significant amount of weight will probably require additional adjustments and possibly a new socket.