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Lesser-known things about prosthetic legs Lesser-known things about prosthetic legs
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Prosthetic legs have become increasingly sophisticated and can reproduce many of the functions of legs and feet. People may think that they serve a purpose but some amputees can get animated and geeky about their legs and there are many things that amputees, using their prosthetics on a daily basis, know about their legs that other people may not realise. Here are five lesser-known things about prosthetic legs from those in the know. Ever more sophisticated these days, prosthetic legs come in all shapes and sizes with various accessories, and amputees can get quite geeky about the subject. Here are five lesser-known things about prosthetic legs from those in the know.
On becoming an amputee, do you get a leg straight away?On becoming an amputee, do you get a leg straight away?
After amputation the residual limb (or stump as many amputees prefer) can be very sensitive. Physiotherapists and doctors advise getting up and walking as soon as possible to build up strength and halt swelling.After amputation the residual limb (or stump as many amputees prefer) can be very sensitive. Physiotherapists and doctors advise getting up and walking as soon as possible to build up strength and halt swelling.
To achieve this, amputees get their first taste of artificial limbs when using an inflatable walking aid designed for partial weight-bearing. The residual limb goes in a cage-like device which is then pumped full of air to hold it in place.To achieve this, amputees get their first taste of artificial limbs when using an inflatable walking aid designed for partial weight-bearing. The residual limb goes in a cage-like device which is then pumped full of air to hold it in place.
You can then take your first tentative steps - holding on to the parallel bars is a must at first - and learn how walking on prosthetics is likely to feel. Many amputees say that when they first saw the device, known as a PPAM Aid (pneumatic post-amputation mobility aid), they thought it looked like an old-fashioned device from the First World War. This allows new amputees to take their first steps and find out what wearing a prosthetic leg feels like while holding on to the parallel bars at first. Many say that when they first saw the device, known as a Pneumatic Post-amputation Mobility Aid, they thought it looked like an old-fashioned device from the First World War.
Can amputees wear high heels?Can amputees wear high heels?
Yes, but if you want to wear heels as an amputee you will need legs which allow you to do so. Yes, but those who want to wear heels will need legs which allow them to do so.
Wearing high heels can be difficult at the best of times, ask a catwalk model, so wearing heels with prosthetics on is no mean feat. Wearing such shoes can be difficult at the best of times, ask a catwalk model, so wearing heels with prosthetics on is no mean feat.
Heels push the centre of gravity forward and on prosthetics this can be hard to control and requires strong core stability - particularly difficult if you walk on two prosthetics. Heels push the centre of gravity forward and on prosthetics this can be hard to control and requires strong core stability - particularly difficult when walking on two prosthetics.
But how can you even get a high heel on when you can't wriggle your foot into the shoe? The answer is actually very simple. There is a button, usually on the inside of the leg by the ankle, which can be pressed and held in while you move the foot up and down until it's at the correct height. Let go of the button and the foot will stay in that position. Getting the shoe on is another matter, with amputees saying that they get through shoe horns at a rate of knots. But how is it possible to get a slim and shapely high heeled shoe on if it's not possible to wriggle your foot into it? There is a button, usually on the inside of the leg by the ankle, which can be pressed and held in while you move the foot up and down until it's at the correct height. Let go of the button and the foot will stay in that position. Amputees say that they can get through shoe horns at a rate of knots.
The general consensus seems to be that walking on stiletto heels is hard, there is no real stability when placing the foot and so a sturdier shoe like a wedge is better. The general consensus seems to be that walking on stiletto heels is hard and so a sturdier shoe like a wedge is better.
Can I wear them in the shower?Can I wear them in the shower?
Many of the components in a prosthetic leg are sensitive to moisture. Therefore most amputees take their legs off when showering. This is because it is not good for them to get wet but also because it is extremely important to keep stumps clean. Many components in a prosthetic leg are sensitive to moisture. Therefore most amputees take their legs off when showering. This is because it is not good for them to get wet but also because it is extremely important to keep stumps clean.
Some amputees prefer to do water sports or swim with their prosthetics on. This may be for practical reasons - ease of getting into a swimming pool or walking into the sea for example - or for aesthetic reasons as some amputees say they feel more self-conscious with their prosthetics off.Some amputees prefer to do water sports or swim with their prosthetics on. This may be for practical reasons - ease of getting into a swimming pool or walking into the sea for example - or for aesthetic reasons as some amputees say they feel more self-conscious with their prosthetics off.
Solutions exist for this: there are waterproof airtight covers which fit on over the leg and keep the prosthetic protected. Or, you can get limbs which are more suited to going in the water. Solutions exist for this: there are waterproof airtight covers which fit on over the leg and keep the prosthetic protected. Or, there are limbs available which are more suited to going in the water.
If on a waterproof leg the wearer wants "cosmesis" which makes the leg look lifelike, it's possible but they fill up with water. To counteract this a hole is put in the back of the leg and when you get out of a pool it simply trickles out. If on a waterproof leg the wearer wants "cosmesis" which makes the leg look lifelike, it's possible but they fill up with water. To counteract this a hole is put in the back of the leg and when exiting water the build-up simply trickles out.
Can you take the stairs?Can you take the stairs?
Ankle joints are at a right-angle in most prosthetics, a bit like holding your feet all tensed up. Ankle joints are at a right-angle in most prosthetics, a bit like tensing your feet up. Because of this, walking downstairs can be tricky, or painful, and can jar the remaining part of your leg. Going up and down hills or slopes pushes amputees forward and inclines push the prosthetics backwards meaning that as much weight must be put onto the front of the foot as possible. As this affects centre of gravity, some amputees may have to take extra care to stay balanced.
Walking downstairs can be tricky, or painful, and can jar the remaining part of your leg - or residual limb. Going up and down hills or slopes pushes amputees forward and inclines push the prosthetics backwards meaning you have to put as much weight forward onto the front of the prosthetic foot as possible.
Robotic ankles are being developed which allow the ankle joint to move from side-to-side as well as up and down in a more natural way.Robotic ankles are being developed which allow the ankle joint to move from side-to-side as well as up and down in a more natural way.
Where do all the old legs go?Where do all the old legs go?
Many amputees collect a stockpile of prosthetics over the years and some don't know what to do with them. As the old ones grow old or unused many legs end up at the back of wardrobes.Many amputees collect a stockpile of prosthetics over the years and some don't know what to do with them. As the old ones grow old or unused many legs end up at the back of wardrobes.
Some people decide to make things out of their old prosthetics - lamps and coffee tables have been known - whereas others may throw them in the bin not knowing that there are even options. Some people decide to make things out of their old prosthetics - lamps and coffee tables have been known - whereas others may throw them in the bin not knowing that there are even options for recycling.
The components can be returned to your prosthetics centre to be re-used if suitable. Or old prosthetics can be donated to charities who distribute them to amputees in other countries who do not have access to limbs. They are disinfected, and re-fitted to somebody else's limb. The components can be returned to a prosthetics centre to be used again if suitable. Or old prosthetics can be donated to charities which distribute them to amputees in other countries where they are not as readily available. They are disinfected, and re-fitted to somebody else's limb.
In the UK a used prosthetic leg is seen as a biohazard and cannot be used again in the EU.In the UK a used prosthetic leg is seen as a biohazard and cannot be used again in the EU.
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