Residual Limb Care
Skin Care
To prevent skin irritation, cysts, pressure sores or pimples.
Do:
1. Wash your residual limb every day with lukewarm water and a mild soap, creating a rich lather.2. Rinse residual limb thoroughly with warm water making sure to remove all soap residue.
3. Gently dry skin completely, remember to pat dry, don’t rub.
4. Allow limb to air-dry for about 5 minutes before reapplying shrinker or Ace bandage.
5. Monitor skin closely noting any blisters or abrasions; use a mirror if needed. If a skin irritation develops, notify your healthcare provider.
6. Massage your limb several times per day to decrease skin sensitivity.
7. If you have excessive sweating of your residual limb while using your prosthesis you may use a dye and fragrance free antiperspirant (not deodorant), such as Mitchum or Secret Platinum on your residual limb to help with perspiration by applying a thin layer to your skin after washing your limb and allowing it to completely dry. Please contact your healthcare provider before doing this. Your residual limb will soon adapt to the prosthesis and will not perspire as much.
8. Make sure there are no wrinkles when applying your socks.
Do not:
1. Do not soak your limb, this may lead to softening of your skin and swelling.2. Do not rub too hard while drying your skin, it could lead to skin irritation.
3. Do not shave your residual limb area, hair growth will diminish in time.
4. Do not use lotions, creams, or moisturizers with dyes or scents on your residual limb area. Speak with your healthcare provider prior to use of any lotions, creams or moisturizers.
5. Do not use alcohol-based products on your residual limb. This will dry your skin out and can cause cracking and peeling.
6. Do not add soft material such as wool to pad a sore spot inside your socket.
7. Do not pad an area with a blister or abrasion; notify your healthcare provider as soon as possible if skin blisters or wounds should occur.
Prosthetic Care
Socket care:
1. Clean the inside of the plastic portion of your socket daily with a washcloth and a sudsy solution of dishwashing soap and hot water.2. Do not use commercial cleaners, they may deteriorate the socket and cause a skin reaction. Check with your prosthetist prior to using rubbing alcohol to clean the socket of your prosthesis. You must allow the socket to dry completely before donning your prosthesis.
3. Rinse and dry the plastic portion of your socket thoroughly.
4. To dry your socket use a towel and allow it to air dry, do not use a hair dryer.
5. When you remove your prosthesis at night, place it where it will not fall to prevent the socket from breaking. You can place your prosthesis in a corner or lay it on its side on the floor. If it’s an above the knee prosthesis be sure to keep the knee joint straight when it is being stored.
6. Do not leave your prosthesis in the car during summer when it is hot.
7. Do not attempt to make any adjustments to the socket or prosthesis, contact your prosthetist if adjustments are needed.
Socket attachments care:
1. If there is a suction valve, the socket should be dried completely with absorbent towels and allowed to air-out overnight.2. If your prosthesis has a removable liner, remove the liner and clean it the same way and inspect the liner for small tears or separated seams. Notify your prosthetist if your liner has a tear.
3. If you have a silicone sleeve suspension you must wash it everyday to keep a good fit. You will usually have 2 of these so you may wear one while you are washing the other.
4. If you have velcro on your prosthesis, inspect the velcro for frayed edges or weakness in its holding strength. Use a hairbrush to remove any foreign objects from the velcro and restore the holding strength.
5. If there is a strap of webbing or leather used to hold your prosthesis in place, inspect the strap and the loop or ring for wear, rust or loose stitching. If you notice any problems, report it to your prosthetist.
Socket outer covering care:
1. To clean the outside leather part of your socket, dampen a sponge with water to clean the leather and immediately dry it with a soft cloth.2. Inspect the outer covering for tears or loose glue areas. If found, they need to be repaired by a prosthetist.
Foam cosmesis care:
1. Hand wash your foam cosmesis with a mild detergent and cold water.2. Rinse well to remove all soap residue.
3. Allow to air dry.
4. Do not expose your foam cosmesis to direct sunlight while not in use.
Sock care:
1. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for washing your socks, if none are given, wash your socks every day using a mild detergent and cold water. Rinse them well in warm water to remove all soap residue.2. Squeeze water out of socks instead of wringing out the water. Allow them to air dry by lying them on a flat surface with no wrinkles. This is best done in the evening so they are allowed to air dry overnight.
3. Replace socks once they become worn.
4. If socks become soiled or wet during the day, replace them with clean, dry socks.
Prosthetic Wear Time
1. Wear an elastic bandage or a shrinker at all times when you are not wearing your prosthesis to avoid swelling.2. Follow specific wear time instructions from your doctor, physical therapist and/or prosthetist, use the following schedule only as a general guide.
3. 1st week: wear your prosthesis 1 hour on, 2 hours off 2-3 times per day doing limited walking.
4. 2nd week: wear your prosthesis 1 ½ hours on and 2 hours off 2-4 times per day doing limited walking.
5. 3rd week: wear your prosthesis 2 hours on and 1 hour off 2-4 times per day with increased walking.
6. 4th week: wear your prosthesis 3-4 hours as many times a day as tolerated with normal walking activity.
How To Avoid Contractures
For an above the knee amputation, when you are not wearing your prosthesis:
1. Do lie on your stomach as much as possible to stretch hips back to prevent contractures.2. Do not sit for long periods of time.
3. Do not put a pillow under your hip when lying on back.
4. Do not allow your leg to lay out to the side when lying on your back.
5. Do not rest your residual leg on your crutch handle while standing.
6. Do not put a pillow under your back when lying on your back.
7. Do not put a pillow between your thighs when lying on your back or sitting.
For a below the knee amputation, when you are not wearing your prosthesis:
1. Do keep your knee straight as much as possible to prevent contractures.2. Do not hang your lower limb over the edge of a wheelchair, chair or bed when sitting.
3. Do not cross your legs while sitting.
4. Do not lie on your back with your knee bent.
5. Do not place a pillow under your hip or knee while lying or sitting.
6. Do not lie on your back with a pillow under back.
7. Do not put a pillow between your thighs when lying on your back or sitting.