Frequently Asked Questions

Your doctor will determine when you are ready to be fit with your first prosthesis.  There are many factors to consider such as your overall medical health, your residual limb shape, the amount of post-surgical swelling and the healing of the surgical site.  The doctor on the amputee rehabilitation team will communicate with us and let us know when you are ready to begin.  

Your first prosthesis is considered a temporary or preparatory prosthesis.  The main purpose of your first prosthesis is to allow you to stand comfortably, gradually increase the weight bearing on your residual limb and it allows you to take your first steps.  The socket is made of a clear plastic material that is easy to adjust as your limb shape changes.  It is usually attached to a lightweight titanium tube that spans the distance from your socket to your prosthetic foot.  The adjustment screws are easy for your prosthetist to access so that your prosthesis can be aligned to optimize your balance.  

The focus of the preparatory prosthesis is not on cosmetics or making it look anatomical.  The cosmetic covering of your prosthesis becomes a focus at a later stage when your limb shape stabilizes.

During the first year that you start using a prosthesis there is a great deal of change that takes place in your residual limb.  The post-surgical swelling tends to subside and the muscles in your residual limb begin to reduce in size (called 'atrophy').  We will be there to follow up on your first fitting and to make changes to your socket to ensure your comfort.  

Eventually the changes in your residual limb will be too great to be accommodated in your first socket.  At that point, you may be ready for a replacement socket.  It is not uncommon to go through 3-5 sockets in the first year of your rehabilitation.  

In the future, you can expect to have your prosthesis replaced about every 3 years due to normal wear and perhaps more frequently if you experience a change in medical condition.

You should wear a well fitting compression garment called a 'shrinker' whenever you are not wearing your liner or your prosthesis.  Your prosthetist can supply you with a shrinker.  Wearing your shrinker over night is a good idea as this helps to maintain a stable limb volume for the morning when you put on your prosthesis.  

To reduce swelling we always recommend that you wear your shrinker when not wearing your prosthesis.  

Another good practice is to keep your leg elevated when sitting down.   A board can be fitted to your wheelchair to keep your knee extended and your residual limb elevated when not using your prosthesis.

The way the prosthesis stays on your body is called 'suspension'.  There are many different means of suspension.  One form is called 'locking pin suspension'.  This involves rolling a silicone liner onto your residual limb.  On the bottom of the silicone liner there is a metal pin that clips into a receiver in the prosthetic socket.  Another form of suspension is called 'seal-in' suspension.  This utilizes a negative pressure environment to hold the socket on your limb with an air-tight seal.  These are just 2 of the many types of suspension that may be used.

At Pathways, we will go over the various types of socket suspension to determine which type would be appropriate for you.  Often times we move from one type of suspension to another over the years as your needs change. 

The heel height of the shoe you are wearing plays a big role in how your prosthesis is aligned.  Generally you should look for the same heel height when buying shoes in order to maintain an optimal prosthetic alignment.  Unless....  Did you know there are prosthetic feet that allow you to change your alignment on the fly for different footwear?  Contact us to set up a trial of one of these feet!

Absolutely!  And we encourage it.  We have highly skilled technical staff that can apply a decorative lamination over top of you socket with a design of your choice.  Sports team logo? Funky colour? Tatoo?  We can make it happen for you.  Decorative shank covers have also become available in recent years.  Displaying your prosthetic technology with style is one way of embracing the new you. 

At Pathways Prosthetic Design Lab we have a full fabrication facility on site.  Give us a call if you notice wear and tear on your prosthesis, if your prosthesis is making a noise, or if you need it refurbished.  We can provide you with an estimate for repairs that can be submitted to your private insurance for consideration.  Please note there is no coverage for repairs through the Assistive Devices Program. 

Yes, for sure.  At Pathways, initial assessments are always free.  Why not request a time, either in person or virtually, to discuss what options are available to you?

Yes, yes and yes!  There are all sorts of specialized prosthetic components that are available for sporting activities or water pursuits.  Much like 1 pair of shoes is not suitable for all situations, one prosthetic component may not best serve you for all activities.  

A 'quick-change' adapter can be incorporated into your prosthesis that allows you to remove your everyday components and replace them with your sport specific components.  

Some amputees prefer to have a separate prosthesis dedicated to a specific sport.  For instance, a swim arm or leg prosthesis can be very convenient for a child joining in at swimming lessons or an adult that enjoys scuba diving.  Ask us for more info on sport specific devices!