A patient may take several steps to prepare for the fitting of a prosthetic leg. Some can be done before the foot or leg amputation. One of the most important steps is the consultation with a prosthetist, the specialist who will help fit and design the prosthetic. This consultation helps determine the best type of prosthetic to fit the patient’s activity level and lifestyle. It also begins an important relationship between the patient and the healthcare professional that may last for years.

Patients who will also be using a wheelchair part-time are advised to get expert advice in fitting this medical device as well. Many people who use wheelchairs are not correctly positioned, are poorly matched to their chair, have inadequate padding or other support, or are not taught how to shift their weight and relieve pressure spots. These issues can cause skin ulcers, orthopedic disorders and other problems.

Following the surgery, patients must allow the surgical area to heal and learn to care for their residual limb. This requires keeping the skin clean through washing at least daily with antibacterial soap. Any abnormalities that are seen during cleaning should be reported to the patient’s physician. It is also recommended that patients not pick at scabs or acne. Allowing the limb to dry completely before wrapping or other covering it is also important to prevent bacterial growth.

Wrapping the residual limb is important to limit swelling (edema) after the amputation. The swelling is a natural response as the body tries to heal, but it can prevent proper fitting of the prosthetic. A compression bandage or garment placed around the limb helps reduce the swelling. In addition, elevating the limb above the heart and physical activity can also help this process and promote healing.

Physical therapy may start within days of the amputation. This is to strengthen the other limb and the residual stump. It also improves the patient’s cardiovascular status to prepare for using the prosthetic. Initially, a physical therapist teaches the patient strengthening exercises and later the patient can perform these exercises at home. Patients may also receive occupational therapy (OT) to improve independence in daily activities. OT may involve training in use of assistive devices such as bathtub benches and reachers.

Sutures from the amputation procedure are often removed within three weeks of surgery. It may take another nine weeks for the prosthetic fitting to occur. Such a long waiting period can lead to limb weakness or joint stiffness. An immediate postoperative prosthetic (IPOP) or preparatory limb may be fitted within days of the surgery to prevent loss of muscle as well as reduce swelling.

Certain types of postsurgical care can help prepare a patient for a prosthesis. For example, mild compression may speed stump shrinkage, which is a normal part of healing after amputation. A prosthesis is usually fitted after stump shrinkage has completed to help ensure a good fit.

It is important that the patient follow the physician’s recommendations after the amputation procedure. This follow-up care may include medications, a nutritious diet, keeping appointments with the healthcare team and several types of exercise, such as strengthening, range-of-motion and endurance exercises.

Prior to a prosthetic fitting, a prosthetist obtains measurements for the socket into which the patient’s residual limb will fit. For years, this required creating a mold of the residual limb. The socket was then made to fit the mold of the patient’s limb. Recent technological advances allow for a computer to scan the residual limb and take detailed measurements. The data can then be inputted into a machine that will build a socket. Whichever method is used, the socket is likely to be tested on the patient’s limb for fit before progressing with building the prosthetic.

It may be a few weeks after an amputation before a prosthetic fitting occurs.