Skin care Do’s & Don’ts – Post Amputation

Right after amputation there is a big list of things that one must take care of. We’ve mentioned this before, but limb care and skin care are essential for an amputee’s health and mobility. A new stump post amputation is volatile and it is in our hands to prevent the changes that may occur. In the next 3-6 months there’ll be stump fluctuations, prosthetic testing, learning how to walk, run etc. 

Let’s take a concise look at the Do’s and Don’ts you need to follow : 

DO’s 

• DO change your dressings as informed by your nurse
• DO wash your residual limb daily with skin friendly, unscented soap & lukewarm water, once healed
• DO use a soft towel to pat your stump dry
• DO examine your skin every day under a good light and use a mirror for the back and sides.
• DO bandage your stump regularly to ensure the stability in stump volume post amputation
• DO reach out to your surgeon/physician in case of any discomfort 
• DO start looking for artificial legs that are ideal for you

DON’Ts

• DON’T remove scabs by yourself
• DON’T soak your stump in water for a long period of time
• DON’T use a new lotion/cream on your stump without prior consultation
• DON’T shave your skin else it may cause irritation
• DON’T keep your stump inactive i.e. without exercises throughout the day 
• DON’T try to google solutions if any redness/scabs start aggravating 
• DON’T dangle your stump off the bed or couch for long periods of time

Apart from these, do follow our One Stop Guide for Every Amputee, for a detailed insight! 

If you’re looking for a new device, interested in free test fitting, confused if a new socket will be the right fit, or any other queries accordingly. This is the time to reach out to us and try a test socket free of cost. Step it up with Instalimb – Contact us today!

Keep your socket clean and the liner cleaner

We wake up, brush our teeth, wash our face, and take a bath. A general process of keeping our body clean and healthy. As an amputee you have an external device which is now a part of your daily life. To ensure the safety of you and your prosthesis, follow the motto of keeping your socket clean and the liner cleaner!

Mentioned below are a few tips to maintain your hygiene and protect yourself from all kinds of bacteria that could have multiplied due to sweat and friction. 

• Socket care - Make sure to wash it daily with soap and water, Use a damp cloth to wipe it. It’s also important to keep the artificial leg dry. It’s advised to wash it at night to have ample drying time by the next day.
• Maintain liner hygiene - Clean your liner each day after removing it. Use hot water and any time of cleaning soap for 30-40 seconds. Wash it thoroughly to remove the soap. It’s also suggested to have more than one liner in case it takes a lot of time to dry out. 
• Taking care of your Artificial leg - It is extremely important to take care of your prosthesis. 
  • This will not only make it last longer but will also ensure overall cleanliness. 
  • Store it in a dry place.
  • Moreover, lie it flat on the floor, to prevent fall/breakage.
  • Clean it using a damp cloth.
  • Regularly check the parts to catch up in case of any issue.
  • For detailed tips do check this!
• Stump care - Limb care and stump care is essential to an amputee’s health and mobility. Moreover, to read the tips in detail look here!

For further insight, don’t forget to call our certified experts. This is the time to reach out to us and even try a test socket free of cost. Step it up with Instalimb – Contact us today!

Benefits of a community that understands

It can be emotionally challenging when you face the world after an amputation. You have everyone around you - family, friends, and doctors. They are there to support you, yet they might not understand you fully. They are doing their best most of the time. Here comes the challenge to finding people who understand what you’re going through. And a community comes to the rescue! 

One such community is The CapeAbles, is channeling the motto that “Not all heroes wear capes”. Where, mobility disability is not a restriction and they believe 'Disability' can be turned into 'This Ability'.

So, what are the benefits of a community?

• Helps you connect to the right resources and people - A community can guide you through each step in your journey. They can act as your primary resource for information. There are multitudes of resources present on the internet, but they can help you define what is best for you. 

• You can find a mentor - An amputee who has learnt the ways of life by experience and guidance can act as the right mentor for you. He/she can understand your plight and work through you, not with pity but with confidence. 

• Helps you make an informed decision about artificial limbs - Due to a great number of prosthetic types available, it becomes difficult to choose the right fit. Here, a community and a mentor comes into play. 

• To instill self esteem - After losing a limb due to any medical/traumatic reason, it is very normal to lose a sense of self. A community can provide you a healthy foundation to rebuild yourself. 

• Helps you to deal with Phantom Limb Pain - Phantom pain can be a menace, it is difficult to deal with, without proper knowledge. It is often known as a numbing, tingling, burning sensation in the amputated area.

• To learn about various Government programs and schemes - There are a number of Government and private schemes that run throughout a year, whether it is related to insurance or monetary support. It is essential to keep a track of these.

• Get quick updates on how to live a healthy and nutritious lifestyle from other Amputees - This will essentially help you stay fit and healthy with a daily dose of motivation. 

You can also take a look at our One stop guide for every amputee to help you initially! 

Still have some specific questions in mind? Don’t worry, call our certified experts. It’s time to step it up with Instalimb – Contact us today!