The United States is home to over 2 million amputees. Many of these amputees use prosthetic lower limbs to make their life easier and more comfortable. In the days, weeks and months following a debilitating health crisis that requires a limb to be removed, you will feel anxious and unsure of the future. With advancements in modern medicine, doctors and developers of prosthetic limbs are making it possible for people to get back on track after becoming an amputee.
Once you have a prosthetic limb in your possession, your main goal is getting acclimated to this device. While this may sound like an easy task, it is anything but. One of the biggest hurdles you need to get over with a new prosthetic leg is getting used to putting it on each morning. Here are some of the things you can do to improve your sleep when wearing a prosthetic limb.
Do Stretches Before and After You Rest
Having a prosthetic limb will take some getting used to. The main thing you need to worry about is your comfort level each day. Increasing the comfort involved in wearing and walking around with a prosthetic limb is not easy. The best way to avoid problems in the beginning with discomfort is by stretching before bed and immediately when you wake up.
Ideally, you want to perform stretches that straighten up your hips and legs. By doing this, you can make standing, sitting and walking more comfortable. Be sure to consult with your primary care doctor when attempting to figure out how to properly stretch these areas of your body.
Choosing the Right Time of Day to Shower
For most people, waking up and jumping in a hot shower is something they do daily. If you wear a prosthetic leg, you will need to change your showering times. Showering at night is the best option for wearers of prosthetic limbs. A hot shower in the morning may cause your amputated limb to swell.
If this swelling occurs, your prosthetic limb will not fit properly. Rather than dealing with the aggravation and discomfort, this can cause, you need to focus on showering at night. While this may be difficult, it is the best way to reduce the prosthetic limb problems you have.
Avoid Sleeping With a Pillow Under Your Leg
Another mistake you need to avoid when trying to sleep better at night with a prosthetic limb is elevating the amputated limb with a pillow. Doing this can lead to the lengthening and contracting of important leg muscles. If the composition of these muscles is changed in any way, it can lead to problems with the way your new limb fits. This is why you need to leave your amputated limb flat on your sleep surface.
Firstcare Orthopaedics is Here to Help!
Are you in the market for a high-quality prosthetic device? If so, contact Firstcare Orthopaedics to find out how we can help.
