1) First, how long after an amputation can a prosthesis be placed?

If when the stitches are removed after amputation surgery the wound heals well and there is no inflammation or edema, the amputee may consider installing a prosthesis.

2) Second, what should denture wearers pay attention to?

Lower leg amputees should focus on strengthening flexion and extension of the knee muscles, and especially extensor (quadriceps) muscle strength. This will help lower leg amputees to walk powerfully when wearing a prosthesis. Prosthesis wearers must first do standing balance training, then step training, followed by walking training, walking up and down stairs, hill climbing, and then other adaptive training.

For amputees using a prosthesis after an amputation, these are the following recommendations:

1. Maintain a stable weight. Weight gain or loss that exceeds a certain range will result in a prosthetic socket that is too tight or too loose.

2. Prevent stump muscle atrophy. The amputee should perform stump muscle training as directed by a physical therapist.

3. Keep the stump skin and prosthetic socket clean, protect the stump skin from inflammation, folliculitis, boils, ulcers, dermatitis, allergies, etc.

Amputees should always clean their stump and keep it dry and clean.

4. Protect the denture from large external extrusions, collisions, and high temperature or humidity, etc. (except waterproof prostheses).

5. If you notice abnormalities while wearing a prosthesis, you should stop using it immediately and contact a hospital immediately. You should not let anyone else handle it or repair it yourself, as this will help prevent accidents.

3) Third, preparation before using a prosthesis.

1.Physical Preparation

(1) Improve the area of ​​movement of the joint of the upper limb to (eliminate contracture) and increase muscle strength.

(2) Improve the strength of the stump skin (especially weight-bearing skin).

(3) Eliminate edema in the stump.

(4) Improve the muscle strength of the healthy upper and lower extremities and the trunk.

(5) Improve the sense of balance.

2. Mental Preparation

(1) The amputee must establish the idea (motivation) of using an artificial limb to walk or retrieve objects.

(2) The amputee must understand the need for and methods of stump care (to prevent contractures, swelling, abrasions, and infection).

(3) The amputee must understand the structure and function of prosthetics.

(4) The amputee must understand the need for and methods of maintaining the prosthesis.

(5) The amputee must understand the procedures, content, and purposes of the training.

4) Fourth, the requirements for mounting the prosthesis on the residual limb.

1. Residual limbs should be of adequate length to ensure sufficient leverage and good muscle control force (for forearm or upper arm amputation, 1/3 of the middle and lower edge is best; for amputation from the bottom or top of the leg, 1/3 of the middle and bottom edge is better).

2. The remaining joint should retain its original physiologic function as much as possible, without exhibiting any contracture deformity.

3. The stump should be free of tenderness, bone spurs, and neuromas.

4. The stumps must have skin in good condition, healthy and level, with less scar adhesion and without ulcers. The skin must also have adequate mobility and

flexibility.