Keeping Up With Prosthetics

As you work with your child’s Prosthetist, the challenge is to support your child’s activities while addressing his or her need for durability and keeping up with his or her physical growth. Children’s needs differ from adult’s needs in many ways, and prosthetic components need to be designed differently to meet those needs. Creating a prosthesis starts with assessing the child’s potential activity level and identifying the activities they may want to participate in. It also takes into account their weight and other physical factors.

Connecting with other families facing similar challenges is a great way to share your experiences and exchange advice. One organization that helps do this is the Amputee Coalition of America (http://www.amputee-coalition.org/). They have information and support networks to tap into for those living with limb loss.

Your Prosthetic clinic is also a great resource for information and support. From learning how to care for your child's prosthesis to tips on conquering new activities, they are experts you can rely on.

Just as children wear out and outgrow shoes, it is not unusual for them to wear out parts of their prosthesis, or outgrow the portion that surrounds their residual limb (called the socket). Several factors contribute to ensuring that your child is as independent and mobile as possible:  socket fit and prosthetic alignment, training, and component selection among them. Addressing each area helps build the ultimate tool to keep your child on the move.