After amputation when your surgeon feels you are ready, a physical therapist will help you mobilize your body with special exercises and you should continue the mobilization exercises until you are ready for the first fitting of a prosthetic leg.
Early mobilization is very important: it has been proved that in general the earlier one is mobilized, the faster recovery happens.
At this stage, your residual limb is probably still being shaped by a prosthetist applying post-operative silicone liners or compression bandages, and you will be carefully monitored to see when you are ready for the reintegration phase.
Once the wound has healed and you are ready to be fitted with your new prosthesis, the prosthetist becomes a central figure in your further recovery and reintegration. In fact, a prosthetist will play an important role in helping to keep you mobile for the rest of your life.
Choosing a Prosthetist
Choosing a prosthetist is one of the most important decisions you need to make. You may want to continue with the prosthetist who has been treating you up to now, but you may also like to consider another prosthetist.
First Evaluation
The first step in the process of choosing a prosthetist is to make an appointment for an evaluation. You can make many appointments to be evaluated by different prosthetists in order to choose one that is best suited to your needs.
During your consultation the prosthetist will do a thorough evaluation in which he or she reviews your physical condition, specifically the condition of your residual limb and whether it has healed sufficiently to accommodate the pressures of the prosthesis on your skin.
The evaluation will include your lifestyle requirements with questions like:
- Do you have an office job, or is your work more physically demanding?
- Do you mainly walk indoors?
- Are the areas around your house and work flat or are there slopes?
- Do you often climb stairs?
Your answers during the consultation will help the prosthetist decide what type of components to include in the design of your prosthesis. Some components are designed to support less active people struggling to maintain a balance of safety, comfort and mobility, and others for people who are keen to become increasingly mobile. The prosthetist takes all of this and more into account in his recommendation of the best design for your prosthetic leg.
Consider the following when choosing a prosthetist: Referrals
Your best starting point is always referrals and recommendations from other medical professionals, but ideally also from other people who have lost a limb.
Experience
As in any profession, some practitioners are more experienced than others, and some may have special clinical interests. Inquire about the experience the prosthetist has in making prostheses for others with similar needs to yours. If it turns out to be difficult to have such a basic conversation, it may be a warning of potential communication problems down the line. Experience is not necessarily connected with physical age, as people’s career paths vary.
Communication Skills
The prosthetist’s communication skills are very important: can he or she interpret and understand your needs and feelings, address your fears and concerns, and clearly explain to you how the process will work and what to expect? During a long-term relationship, communication and trust from both parties are essential for constructive cooperation.
Questions to Ask a Potential Prosthetist
- Are you experienced in making prostheses for people with similar needs to mine?
- How many patients have you fit in the past 6 months? In the past 12 months?
- Are you certified through any professional organizations?
- What are my options regarding type of prosthesis?
- What are the pros and cons of each type?
- What is your comfort level and familiarity with specific socket designs and with various manufacturers' components?
- Do you work alone or in a team with other medical specialists?
- Do you have any connections to local amputee support groups?
- Who do I call if I have an issue with my device?
- How often should I follow up with my clinician?
Familiarity with the Latest Trends and Research
Is the prosthetist up to date with the latest technology? This is easy to establish, as leading manufacturers of prosthetics require prosthetists to do extra courses and demonstrate a high level of competence before certifying them to work with the latest technology. Look for a prosthetist who is certified by the manufacturer of your prosthesis as competent to prescribe and work with their latest technology.
Treatment Facility
Top prosthetists invest in their treatment facilities and equipment so that they can offer high-quality care. Also consider the proximity and convenience of the location of your prosthetist's facility. A prosthesis needs to be adjusted and maintained from time to time and it will be practical for you to visit your prosthetist when you need to.
Rehabilitation Team and Other Helpful Contacts
Coordinating all the medical professionals working on your rehabilitation is a critical requirement for successful reintegration. Can the prosthetist introduce or refer you to additional services that may improve your life – for example, support groups, emotional recovery counselors and sports groups for people with limb loss?