LEARNING TO WALK WITH AN ARTIFICIAL LEG

Losing a leg is a very emotional and life changing experience. It is only natural to be anxious to start the process of being fit with an Artificial leg and begin the process of learning how to walk again. However, it’s important to remember that learning to walk with your new prosthesis is a new skill that will take some time to become comfortable with. After you are fit with your prosthesis, your doctor may refer you to a physical therapist that specializes in prosthesis gait training. The process requires time, patience and a good attitude. It can take several months to regain the strength, flexibility and confidence to be comfortable with using a prosthesis in your daily life.
The artificial leg is designed for your specific level of amputation. These include amputations at the hip, above the knee, knee disarticulation, below the knee, symes or through the ankle and partial foot amputations. In order to have success with using a prosthesis, it is very important to have a comfortable fitting socket and gait training by a physical therapist. .

Ensure a Proper

Fit The most important part of any prosthetic leg is the design and fit of the socket. A secure, comfortable fit between the residual limb and prosthesis is important for proper control and comfort. Purple prosthetics sockets are custom fit to the residual limb and contoured to the shape of the remaining bone and muscles. It accommodates any sensitive nerve areas and helps to improve the overall health of the residual limb. One solution for individuals with residual limbs that are challenging due to skin grafts or other damage is the Purple Prosthetics Gel Liners. Purple Prosthetics Liners offer gentle adhesion that increases comfort and longevity.
Proper maintenance of your prosthesis should also be done for maximum comfort. This means regularly cleaning the socket area to prevent any skin irritation. Discuss the specific cleaning process with your clinician during the fitting of your prosthesis.

Patient_Walking_on_Parallel_Bar

*Starting on Parallel Bars
Once your socket is properly fit and comfortable, you’ll need to learn how to transfer some of your weight onto the prosthesis. We naturally shift the weight of our bodies when we walk, and proper weight transfer is vital to mastering walking again. Most people have trouble feeling secure enough to put their full weight on prosthesis, making this the most difficult transition. With proper instruction from your physical therapist and lots of practice, you will begin to trust that you can safely put more weight onto the artificial leg and over time, your confidence will improve.
You’ll begin between two parallel bars and use both arms for support. Over time, you will be able to walk with only one arm on the parallel bar when walking. Finally, you should be able to walk comfortably with little or no support from your upper body. If your amputation is very high at the hip level or above the knee, learning how to walk with an artificial knee joint will be an additional challenge. If you have amputations involving both legs, the process of learning to walk can take a little longer as you will have to adapt to using two prosthetic legs. Just remember to take it slow at first, and practice frequently for short periods of time.

Tips for Walking with an Artificial leg

When you start walking on your own with an artificial leg, it’s important to use any aides your therapist or doctors recommend. You don’t want to rush the process and injure yourself.
Once you are walking in everyday situations, you will again need to take it slow and become comfortable with being in new surroundings. You will encounter a lot of situations that may be challenging at first such as, stairs, curbs, hills and uneven surfaces. Depending on the amputation level and the type of prosthesis, your therapist will guide you on the most efficient way to navigate through these daily life situations.