Selecting the best lower limb prosthetic for your needs can have a significant and long-lasting positive effect on your life. It’s important to carefully consider certain factors when making this big investment in your future. Take your time and don’t feel rushed when reviewing your options. Limb prosthetics are getting more advanced as time goes on, so it’s OK to give yourself time. Here are seven things to consider when choosing a prosthetic.
1. Assess Your Activity Level and Goals
The first thing to consider when choosing a lower limb prosthetic is your intended activity level and goals. Are you an athlete with goals that include a return to sports? Are you primarily interested in daily activities like walking and standing? Your activities, including the level and amount of activity you want to resume each day, will inform the type of prosthetic that will best suit your needs. High-activity people will require a durable prosthetic designed for rigorous use. Those with an average or more sedentary lifestyle can prioritize comfort, function and appearance.
2. Consider the Position of the Amputation
Depending upon the position of the amputation, whether it’s below the knee, above the knee, or higher, you’ll want to consider your own unique challenges and how your prosthetic can help you to overcome them. For this, an honest and comprehensive discussion with a qualified, experienced prosthetist will be invaluable. Online research will only get you so far; you’ll feel better and be able to make a smarter choice when your own unique amputation is taken into serious account.
3. Give Consideration to Aesthetics
Some amputees have multiple prosthetics, but most have only one for meeting multiple needs. Although function is a priority, appearance is also important. Feeling comfortable about the way you appear in public is important for everyone, including amputees, so don’t discount this factor when choosing your lower limb prosthetic. If one prosthetic looks better to you than another, even if it’s less practical, that may be the one that helps you to feel better about yourself, too. This is a personal decision that you alone can make.
4. Prioritize Comfort and Fit
Comfort and fit are paramount when selecting a prosthetic, especially a lower limb prosthetic that will be weight-bearing. An ill-fitting prosthetic can cause discomfort, skin irritation and even long-term health issues if the problem is serious enough. Working with a qualified prosthetist will help to ensure that precise measurements are taken and high-quality materials are used to create a socket that fits comfortably. Don’t hesitate to speak up if something doesn’t feel right, even if it seems to be taking a long time to find the right fit. You’re worth it, and it’s the job of the prosthetist to help you to get a prosthetic that fits well and functions properly. Finally, keep in mind that adjustments can often be made to improve comfort if things aren’t exactly right.
5. Evaluate Technology Options Within Your Budget
Prosthetic technology is improving nearly every day, running the gamut from basic functionality to sophisticated devices. Ask to be educated about the newer technologies and their range of available options. While the very latest high-end tech might be cost-prohibitive for you now, simpler choices might fit in your budget — and meet your needs just as well. And that pricey prosthetic may come down in cost, making it affordable to you in the future.
6. Explore Funding Options and Insurance Coverage
On the subject of affordability, you should carefully explore your funding options and insurance coverage. If your amputation was the result of someone else’s negligence, consider speaking to an independent third party claims adjuster to ensure you get fair compensation toward the cost of your prosthetic. You might also want to look at other possible funding sources, like federal, state and local grants, nonprofit organizational grants or even crowdfunding. You may even be eligible for a discount or grant from the medical provider or prosthetist.
Finally, discuss with your prosthetist and healthcare team to understand what costs will be covered and what out-of-pocket expenses you might incur. Being well-informed about your financial options will help alleviate some of the stress associated with the cost of prosthetics, and help you to know what exactly your budget is when selecting a lower limb prosthetic.
7. Consider Maintenance Requirements and Durability
Like everything else, prosthetics need regular maintenance and care to help ensure that they function as expected and remain comfortable. For any prosthetic that you’re seriously considering, be sure to ask about the maintenance that you’ll be responsible for, so you understand how to care for the prosthetic itself as well as the prosthetic liner, and how much time you’ll need to put in taking care of them.
There are ways to make care and maintenance easier for you. One of the easiest ways to clean and sanitize your prosthetic liner is ROSS, the Rapid Ozone Sleeve Sanitizer. ROSS gets rid of germs and odor-causing bacteria that regular soap and water misses, and it’s compatible with all types of liners and sleeves, no matter the brand.
Choosing a lower limb prosthetic is a personal decision that should be made in consultation with your healthcare team. The right prosthetic can significantly improve mobility, independence and quality of life, so take the time to explore your options and find the best fit for your individual needs and lifestyle. To learn more about ROSS and caring for your prosthetic liner and residual limb, contact us today.
