About two weeks after your surgery or when
your residual limb is well-healed and there is
no drainage, a shrinker will be applied to the
residual limb. This is to reduce swelling and
help develop a conical shape in your limb in
preparation for your initial prosthesis.
Temporary Prosthesis
About four weeks after surgery, a temporary
prosthesis will be fabricated. This is
sometimes called a temporary or preparatory
prosthesis because your residual limb will
continue to reduce in volume and change
shape dramatically over the next several
months. During the first two to six months,
you will be monitored closely, and many
adjustments and alignment changes will be
made as you improve with the help of physical
or occupational therapy. Your temporary
prosthesis will be used until your residual limb
has reached a stable volume.
Selecting the Parts for Your Prosthesis
Your prosthetic components are selected
depending upon your residual limb, your
strength, your activity level, the types of
activities you do, and your preferences. Be
sure to let your physician and prosthetist know
what your goals are and what you want to do
with your prosthesis (walking, golfing, running,
etc.). There are many different types of
prosthetic parts, each with its own advantages
and disadvantages. Some are lighter, some are
easier to put on, some are more durable, but
none is best for everyone. Your physician and
prosthetist need to know what is important to
you so that, as a team, you can make the best
choices.
The following articles will introduce you to
the different types of prosthetic components
available today and help you to become an
informed consumer.
Back to Top 
