Here's What To Expect When Having A Custom Leg Prosthetic Made
Now that you have decided to get fit for a custom leg prosthetic, you are probably wondering how the process will unfold. Here is the basic information you should know.
Creating the First Mold
When you are ready to be fitted for your prosthetic leg, your service provider will use plaster or fiberglass cast material to create a basic mold of the limb you'll be wearing. This basic mold will serve as a guide to creating a functional limb that you can actually walk on. After the basic mold has been made, your doctor will work to customize the way the mold fits, moves, and functions as a whole. Your doctor will also have to create a socket mold that will attach the prosthetic leg to your own limb. This process can take a while, so expect to meet with your doctor more than once before your mold is ready for the final production process.
Making the Final Product
Once your plaster or fiberglass mold has been customized, your doctor will send it to their prosthetic production team to have a real leg prosthetic made for your personal use. Depending on the specific features and functions of your new prosthetic, a variety of different materials may be used to produce your new leg, such as the following:
- Carbon fiber
- Acrylic resin
- Titanium
- Aluminum
- Silicone
Your prosthetic leg will be covered with a stretchy, skin-like material to give it a realistic look. Your prosthetic will feel real, too. After your new limb is ready for use, it will be fitted on your body and you'll be ready to start walking on it.
Getting Used to Your New Limb
It will take a little time for you to get used to using your new limb, so be patient with yourself and those around you. Friends and loved ones may try to offer help when you don't need any, which can be frustrating as you enjoy your newfound freedom and self-sufficiency. And you may find it uncomfortable to wear your limb at first.
But your comfort levels should greatly improve within just a few days. Your new limb may need a few adjustments as you break it in, so if something seems wrong or your limb doesn't seem to fit correctly, you should head back to your doctor for some adjustments. It shouldn't take more than a few weeks to create the perfect fit and to feel natural with your prosthetic leg on.
To learn more, contact a supplier that makes custom leg prosthetics.