Small Miracles Everyday Since 1977
What to Expect
A Guide to Our Prosthetic Clinical Care Process
PRE-PROSTHETIC PREPARATION
Depending on the care plan established by the team, your pre-prosthetic training will likely involve skin care, muscle strengthening, pain management (desensitizing your residual limb and scar tissue), and limb shaping. In most cases, your prosthetist will employ the use of a shrinker or compression sock to control the swelling.
Follow up visits with your physician to check healing progress will take place during this time and pre-prosthesis fitting concerns will be addressed. Once your limb is well-healed and much of the initial swelling has gone down, your physician will release you for a prosthesis and your prosthetist will begin the process of building your socket. There are a variety of ways to create a socket, and your clinician will share with you how he/she achieves the best fit.
Your Initial Visit
Start With an Overview
During your first visit, our prosthetists will provide you with an understanding of Lawall’s clinical care process, highlighting the significance of a patient/practitioner partnership.
Complete the New Patient Form
For us to start a personalized patient chart, you’ll need to fill out a new patient form. This will help us document your care requirements effectively. Also, please bring along your insurance details to set up your patient account.
Undergo a Patient Evaluation
Once the preliminary steps are finished, our prosthetist will conduct a comprehensive evaluation. This includes understanding your occupation, lifestyle, interests, activity level, and treatment goals. Feel free to ask any questions you might have during this process. Your input aids us in crafting a treatment plan and prosthetic device tailored to your needs.
Limb Scanning and Casting
The final step involves scanning, measuring or casting your limb to create the prescribed prosthesis. You may initially be fit with a clear diagnostic test socket, allowing our prosthetist to fine-tune the prosthesis before final production.
Remember, everyone’s healing journey is unique. At Lawall, your prosthetist will be with you throughout, ensuring you are progressing towards your goals at your own pace. We can also connect you with a support group or peer visitor; interacting with individuals who’ve walked a similar path can be incredibly comforting and insightful.
Receiving your Prosthesis
When you receive your final prosthesis, your prosthetist will provide you with a wear-in schedule, so you can gradually get accustomed to wearing it. He or she will also explain how to don and doff your device, plus give instructions for maintenance and care of your device.
During the first year, your residual limb will continue to change shape so you will need to have regular follow up appointments with your prosthetist for modifications and adjustments, in addition to follow up appointments with your physician. It is not uncommon to need a new socket or an entirely new prosthesis. Your prosthetist will continually be monitoring your limb, your activity level and overall goals throughout the process to ensure that you have the most appropriate componentry and best fitting socket to enable you to reach your fullest potential.
Expect to continue with physical therapy (for lower extremity amputations) or occupational therapy (for upper extremity amputations) with your prosthesis to receive additional training and exercise. Take advantage of the resources offered by connecting with a certified peer mentor and/ or attending a support group event designed to provide the opportunity to meet and engage with others who have experienced limb loss.
As time passes, wearing a prosthesis and integrating it into your old patterns will become more routine for you. We know it will be challenging at times, but Lawall will be there to support you. Your hard work and dedication will pay off.
