Thank you so much for all your positive videos and info. I'm a new amputee and just received my 1st prosthetic leg. I'm lucky because my Prosthetist is an amputee himself and he's so valuable of course! Can answer and relate to so much after living as an amputee himself for 25 years. Keep sharing your story!
Ive been an above knee amputee for almost 4 yrs It does take a lot of getting used to and I have met a lot of people who have given up wearing their leg My biggest piece of advice is Don't settle! If it doesn't feel right tell your prosthetist and make him fix it Don't accept that's just how it is for an answer It will probably take a lot of adjusting but stick with it Its your leg and being comfortable in it means everything
I want to thank you so much for all of your videos you have made my experience with this so much easier. I lost my foot 5 months ago and i just got my leg 2 days ago.. You have cleared up so many questions for me. God bless you!
I just became a below the knee amputee im still healing so im trying to get all the info i can so these videos are helping me get an idea of what this process will be thank you for the vids
I have not until recently thought about People who are Angels at working on New products and prosthetists imoroving Mobility. These people are very talented.
I discovered that "everything" effects your prosthetic fit. Even what you eat & drink, activity, duration etc. Body tissue swells, fills with liquid, dehydrates, shrinks and all of this will effect your fit. Keeping this in mind and being aware of these changes help adjust your life to the prosthetic and the prosthetic to your life. Keeping a diary of your activity and liquid/food intake in comparison to discomfort with prosthetic can help identity issues. Keep a good relationship with your "leg maker" and don't be afraid to communicate. Your video's are great!!
Great timing! I got my first prosthesis today! I'm BK since December and have enjoyed all your videos. I find them very informative and spot on. Thank you so much for doing this. Your great!
You are not kidding here. From my first test socket till now has been & months. I shrank out of 4 test sockets also had one pulled that I never used. now I'm able to wear my carbon socket for 12 to 14 hours A day. this depends on my activity level. It has been A giant help going in armed with information from you and a few others here on you tube Thank you so much. Funny tho. my prosthetist tells me to stay off the internet. LOL
Thank you so much. I just got my first prosthetic yesterday and exactly what u said i was walking in the room at the prostheses and it was fine and i left and it felr like something was wrong... Your videos are really helping out alot..
Oh and one more thing...my prosthetic team keeps up with me. They are great and work hand in hand with my surgeon to make sure I am taken care of. Since Oct. 15, 2014 I have been eager to get back to my normal life. Your informative videos are helping me to do just that.
I've been amputee for a very long time (decades.) Key points to quality fit are 1) taking critical role in design and fitting process 2) using a high quality maker. Example of 1 are telling and showing hot spots. Come with prepared list. Like many things in the world many are ok and a few are really high quality. Example quality is Strobel (Gary) and Associates. I have lived in his area (DFW) for several years but I continue to have my feet made with him. The quality makers are rare and worth the time and distance when interviewing providers. As for the first .... I do not recall I was 7 years old but I agree telling when it hurts is critical to well being. Also I was able to jump back into life fairly quick sports, bike, and wagon ing down the street. Same as adult I have found there is nothing I can not do. In fact, I can do more then others like shin kick and breaking things with ease and no pain because as part of the design process I request a beefed up super strong shin, lol.
Hello as a new amputee this video has been really helpful, it's hard work getting used to the prosthetic, as the 6in under my knee does hit and rest on the inside of my new leg,you have been so helpful these past almost 3months and just wanted to say Thank you😊
I really appreciate your videos, I go in on the 14th for an above the knee amputation from a 2 year long Treatment resistant C.R.P.S. Im both excited and scared for this new chapter of my life and I have most of my knowledge or advice that I've looked into in thanks to you. I wouldn't know half the things Ive been able to except and prep from before this that I might not have learned. So again THANK YOU!!
I surely wish I had found you sooner. I didn't realize the many steps to take with my (spelling is my enemy tonight), anyway you have cleared up some mystery's. I will be following you all the time.
My Prosthetist is Also an Amputee so he can understand eceru pain wearing my Prosthesis👌👍Thank you for Pointing out about prosthetist cant read minds so we have to tell them if wearing our prosthesis hurts.
Im a below knee amputee, new, its been 4 months since injury, my leg works good been in for 1 adjustment, got it a 2 months, i work on roofs and ladders, only hurts near the end of day, will get it trimbed, hanger did a great job first time, and im still new to all this, still shock, i use to be so authentic, will have my dirt bike fixed with manual handle bar shifter and up on the mountain trails of colorado later this month
I've been an amputee since 1990. Disarticulated knee. Been through 8 legs so far and I am currently in the office for a final fit... I know about how uncomfortable and down right painful it can be if your prosthetic. Your body weight is crucial in determining how well it fits also
If you are an amputee veteran do not let the VA tell you it is in your mind when you are wearing an excessive number of spacer socks. The VA tried this with me when I was wearing over 30 ply of socks as well as inserts like shown in the video. There is a point at which you MUST get a new socket made to compensate for the changes in your stump, do not let the VA or an insurance company rep dissuade you.
Hey Christina, I did not get the opportunity to catch this when you posted it. I walked fine on my new leg from day one. learned enough about this process (from you and others) to handle it and will be able to return to my physical job In January of 2015. Barring unforeseen issues. I have been on the Amputee Coalition of America on FB too and it was not to ask questions but to redirect to your videos for new amputees. Keep up the great job, you are a great help to all of us!!!
Hi..love your videos..I do have a question... I got my first prosthetic leg 5 months after my amputation. I got used to it immediatly. Some pain, mostly my hip.. Now it's nearly a year with my first prosthetic leg..only one adjustment... altering my socks was my issue..and I'm learning. No talk of getting another prosthesis..does this mean my first will be my permanent one?? My only issue is the bone that sticks out of the side of my knee..very pronounced and does get sore now and again...may need to operate down the road my Dr said. So...will I get another leg or is my first my permanent one? I've been luckily blessed to have so little issues...just very determined to have a normal life walking and driving per usual. My ankle doesn't move so I do have a stilted walk now but whatever..a flexible ankle is not covered and very expensive so won't get one.
I don't know about other ones, but my prosthetist even gives you his personal number when you first go there. Many times have I texted him and gotten advice when something was amiss.
zonalklism my prosthetist is like yours. He visited me 2 days after surgery while I was in bed at hospital. He gave me his card with his cell number. I texted him a thank you. I received a reply from him the next morning. He also is an amputee so that is like icing on the cake. Next week I will be trying on my prosthetic for the first time. 👍 to the rest of my new life.
I have been a amputee over 40yrs 300 pounds the problem for me was sweat until I heard about swiftwick valor socks worn under the liner I have less skin breakdown life is good
I am a writer and am in the process of researching amputation and prostheses for a story I am planning. Your videos have been AMAZING and so helpful! The character in my story, however, is a transradial amputee. Do you know of any other TH-cam channels that may feature that sort of amputation? (I haven't had any luck with searching.) Thank you, again, for your candid and extremely helpful videos!
Our friend in Ohio had to go 5 hours to get to her prosthetist as she lives in a remote spot. In the UK artificial limb technicians are in short supply and you may wait for 6-8 weeks on the Health scheme. Our local girl says going private costs £UK 500 for each visit. And for you?
Why do you go to the leg doc all the time ive been there like four times in the last year three of them was fitting do i need to go for something else?
I just got my new leg 3 days ago. I am a rt.bk amputee (1/19/18) . when I first put the leg on it felt like I had a sharp rock in my shoe. or I'm standing on the bak of my shoe. Very painful. Some phantom sensations I can get rid of by finding the nerve on the limb and massaging. Doesn't work for this. Any ideas?
I'm a transtibial double amputee since April 2018. I just changed to my 2nd prosthetics legs a week ago. Because I'm double, I use ring liners because if they were pin liners probably it would make much pressure at the beginning of my stumps . I have a doubt..how do put filling socks underneath the ring properly? .. I can't find any videos. 😕 Can someone help me please? Thank you kind people.
I watch you on utube and when you got your first leg you started walking on it right away. this wasn't what happened in my case. even after four days I still need to use my walker. I am a bk left and I can't put all my weight on left side. my temp. leg fits well, any thoughts about this. thanks
Dean Beler it just takes time to get use to it. I was using sticks for a few weeks, i still feel uncomfortable sometimes but the more i walk the better it feels. Had my first leg now for almost 7 months and i feel like i want to run, i might use a stick in the morning for about an hr then ill be able to walk around till bed time without a stick, ive got a load of layers aswell because of shrinking. im booked in for new cast an measure next month so looking forward to it. Hope its going well for you 👍🏽
what do you do about sweating? i just recently had my right leg amputated below my knee, and sweating is a serious issue it seems once it starts sweating in my prosthetic it starts rubbing and gets painful.
I'm a recent amputee and will get my first socket next week. Ive asked my prosthesis about colors, he said yours will be Caucasian ?? What I said ? I would like a color, he looked at me strange as if he'd never heard this request. I watched one video where one amputee got his in neon blue, but seemed to possibly also had a problem. Before leaving my appointment I mentioned it again, he replied i can put a bow on it !! I looked at him, with no reply. If you can give me some advice I would really appreciate it. Thanks Karen
I am not amputee yet but I can tell you that my foot (that has to be amputated), feels weather change so severly and I don't think that stump will be different, or at least I cannot imagine that it won't.
Im 7 days post op I'm terrified with my pre existing atrophy due to having a nerve cut to my left leg during a spinabifida correction at nine months I'm going to have issues. My butt on that side is a mc flabster no muscle my leg is tiny my right legs a beast. I don't think I can even build it up due to it being a cut nerve? But I could stand on my right leg for days on end so I don't know. Wish it was a year from now. Everyone from hanger to pt to OT are telling my I'm amazing even let me skip rehab after proving my self by being ambulatory around the entire unit 30 minutes after surgery tooting my own horn a bit :) and say this is going to be a breeze for me when compared to my prior situation just scared I won't get a normal feeling back./rant/vent
Gracias, AMPUTEE OT, POR RECOMENDARME ESTE VIDEO TUYO.pensaba que te caia mal pero veo que no.No eres bella pero tampoco fea.Muy bien arreglada pasas por guapa.Te deseo lo mejor del mundo.
Kristy Dodd it sounds like your walking posture has changed, amputees do tend to arch in the bottom of their back in a 'ducklike' fashion. I'd go see a physiotherapist or prosthetist asap
Why not create a jelly cushion for the inside of the socket and it could adjust all on its own and feel comfortable again by adjusting itself all on its own.
Thank you so much for all your positive videos and info.
I'm a new amputee and just received my 1st prosthetic leg. I'm lucky because my Prosthetist is an amputee himself and he's so valuable of course!
Can answer and relate to so much after living as an amputee himself for 25 years.
Keep sharing your story!
Ive been an above knee amputee for almost 4 yrs It does take a lot of getting used to and I have met a lot of people who have given up wearing their leg My biggest piece of advice is Don't settle! If it doesn't feel right tell your prosthetist and make him fix it Don't accept that's just how it is for an answer It will probably take a lot of adjusting but stick with it Its your leg and being comfortable in it means everything
Good to hear a real/truthful summary.
I want to thank you so much for all of your videos you have made my experience with this so much easier. I lost my foot 5 months ago and i just got my leg 2 days ago.. You have cleared up so many questions for me. God bless you!
I just became a below the knee amputee im still healing so im trying to get all the info i can so these videos are helping me get an idea of what this process will be thank you for the vids
I have not until recently thought about
People who are Angels at working on
New products and prosthetists imoroving Mobility. These people are very talented.
I discovered that "everything" effects your prosthetic fit. Even what you eat & drink, activity, duration etc. Body tissue swells, fills with liquid, dehydrates, shrinks and all of this will effect your fit. Keeping this in mind and being aware of these changes help adjust your life to the prosthetic and the prosthetic to your life. Keeping a diary of your activity and liquid/food intake in comparison to discomfort with prosthetic can help identity issues. Keep a good relationship with your "leg maker" and don't be afraid to communicate. Your video's are great!!
Great timing! I got my first prosthesis today! I'm BK since December and have enjoyed all your videos. I find them very informative and spot on. Thank you so much for doing this. Your great!
This girl inspires me iv been a bna for 18 Mt's and let's say life's challenging listen to this girl
You are not kidding here. From my first test socket till now has been & months. I shrank out of 4 test sockets also had one pulled that I never used. now I'm able to wear my carbon socket for 12 to 14 hours A day. this depends on my activity level.
It has been A giant help going in armed with information from you and a few others here on you tube
Thank you so much. Funny tho. my prosthetist tells me to stay off the internet. LOL
Thank you so much. I just got my first prosthetic yesterday and exactly what u said i was walking in the room at the prostheses and it was fine and i left and it felr like something was wrong... Your videos are really helping out alot..
I just want to say THANK YOU!!! Your videos really help me with so many questions that I have being a new BK amputee.
Oh and one more thing...my prosthetic team keeps up with me. They are great and work hand in hand with my surgeon to make sure I am taken care of. Since Oct. 15, 2014 I have been eager to get back to my normal life. Your informative videos are helping me to do just that.
I've been amputee for a very long time (decades.) Key points to quality fit are 1) taking critical role in design and fitting process 2) using a high quality maker. Example of 1 are telling and showing hot spots. Come with prepared list. Like many things in the world many are ok and a few are really high quality. Example quality is Strobel (Gary) and Associates. I have lived in his area (DFW) for several years but I continue to have my feet made with him. The quality makers are rare and worth the time and distance when interviewing providers.
As for the first .... I do not recall I was 7 years old but I agree telling when it hurts is critical to well being.
Also I was able to jump back into life fairly quick sports, bike, and wagon ing down the street. Same as adult I have found there is nothing I can not do. In fact, I can do more then others like shin kick and breaking things with ease and no pain because as part of the design process I request a beefed up super strong shin, lol.
Hello as a new amputee this video has been really helpful, it's hard work getting used to the prosthetic, as the 6in under my knee does hit and rest on the inside of my new leg,you have been so helpful these past almost 3months and just wanted to say Thank you😊
Christina, you're great. Thanks so much for working on this project of yours. The videos are just really helpful.
I really appreciate your videos, I go in on the 14th for an above the knee amputation from a 2 year long Treatment resistant C.R.P.S. Im both excited and scared for this new chapter of my life and I have most of my knowledge or advice that I've looked into in thanks to you. I wouldn't know half the things Ive been able to except and prep from before this that I might not have learned. So again THANK YOU!!
I hope you're doing well!
I hope you are doing well also stay strong my friend!
Nickolas McCoy hey I’m doing the same soon my my CRPS. I would be so great full if you could give me any advice. Thanks
I surely wish I had found you sooner. I didn't realize the many steps to take with my (spelling is my enemy tonight), anyway you have cleared up some mystery's. I will be following you all the time.
Thanks for these videos, my mom is a BK amputee and its helpful to know a little about what she has to go through :)
My Prosthetist is Also an Amputee so he can understand eceru pain wearing my Prosthesis👌👍Thank you for Pointing out about prosthetist cant read minds so we have to tell them if wearing our prosthesis hurts.
Im a below knee amputee, new, its been 4 months since injury, my leg works good been in for 1 adjustment, got it a 2 months, i work on roofs and ladders, only hurts near the end of day, will get it trimbed, hanger did a great job first time, and im still new to all this, still shock, i use to be so authentic, will have my dirt bike fixed with manual handle bar shifter and up on the mountain trails of colorado later this month
I've been an amputee since 1990. Disarticulated knee. Been through 8 legs so far and I am currently in the office for a final fit... I know about how uncomfortable and down right painful it can be if your prosthetic. Your body weight is crucial in determining how well it fits also
If you are an amputee veteran do not let the VA tell you it is in your mind when you are wearing an excessive number of spacer socks. The VA tried this with me when I was wearing over 30 ply of socks as well as inserts like shown in the video. There is a point at which you MUST get a new socket made to compensate for the changes in your stump, do not let the VA or an insurance company rep dissuade you.
Good information to know! Thanks so much!
Thank you
Hey Christina,
I did not get the opportunity to catch this when you posted it. I walked fine on my new leg from day one. learned enough about this process (from you and others) to handle it and will be able to return to my physical job In January of 2015. Barring unforeseen issues. I have been on the Amputee Coalition of America on FB too and it was not to ask questions but to redirect to your videos for new amputees. Keep up the great job, you are a great help to all of us!!!
Hi..love your videos..I do have a question...
I got my first prosthetic leg 5 months after my amputation. I got used to it immediatly. Some pain, mostly my hip..
Now it's nearly a year with my first prosthetic leg..only one adjustment... altering my socks was my issue..and I'm learning.
No talk of getting another prosthesis..does this mean my first will be my permanent one??
My only issue is the bone that sticks out of the side of my knee..very pronounced and does get sore now and again...may need to operate down the road my Dr said.
So...will I get another leg or is my first my permanent one?
I've been luckily blessed to have so little issues...just very determined to have a normal life walking and driving per usual.
My ankle doesn't move so I do have a stilted walk now but whatever..a flexible ankle is not covered and very expensive so won't get one.
These are the exact same problems that I'm having with my first prosthesis, the video was on the mark.
I don't know about other ones, but my prosthetist even gives you his personal number when you first go there. Many times have I texted him and gotten advice when something was amiss.
zonalklism my prosthetist is like yours. He visited me 2 days after surgery while I was in bed at hospital. He gave me his card with his cell number. I texted him a thank you. I received a reply from him the next morning. He also is an amputee so that is like icing on the cake. Next week I will be trying on my prosthetic for the first time. 👍 to the rest of my new life.
Thank you for this!
I have been a amputee over 40yrs 300 pounds the problem for me was sweat until I heard about swiftwick valor socks worn under the liner I have less skin breakdown life is good
Thanks so much. This information is very helpful.
Dental Putty reline material works a treat,dont block the one way valve.
Thank YOU!
I am soooooooo glad to have found these very helpful bits of advice! I'm pretty new at this thing! :)
I now go to me prosthetic clinic every 3 or 4 months, maybe 6.
thanks for the Truth! Christian Calvin.
I am a writer and am in the process of researching amputation and prostheses for a story I am planning. Your videos have been AMAZING and so helpful! The character in my story, however, is a transradial amputee. Do you know of any other TH-cam channels that may feature that sort of amputation? (I haven't had any luck with searching.) Thank you, again, for your candid and extremely helpful videos!
+Malea Thomas that's why I'm here too! I'm writing a book as well.
ha! me too
Our friend in Ohio had to go 5 hours to get to her prosthetist as she lives in a remote spot. In the UK artificial limb technicians are in short supply and you may wait for 6-8 weeks on the Health scheme. Our local girl says going private costs £UK 500 for each visit. And for you?
Why do you go to the leg doc all the time ive been there like four times in the last year three of them was fitting do i need to go for something else?
I just got my new leg 3 days ago. I am a rt.bk amputee (1/19/18) . when I first put the leg on it felt like I had a sharp rock in my shoe. or I'm standing on the bak of my shoe. Very painful. Some phantom sensations I can get rid of by finding the nerve on the limb and massaging. Doesn't work for this. Any ideas?
I'm not a amputee but I think it's interesting
How do I stop the rash that is caused by the waist straps I have to use to hold my leg on thank you
I'm adding to my last comment. No sure why there's a comment in blue stating " first day checking into the Will" ?
Does insurance pay to see the prosthetist once a week? Do alterations cost money out-of-pocket?
Daniel Stauffer
How quickly do the modifications get made? Is it an in office thing or do you have to come back?
I'm a transtibial double amputee since April 2018. I just changed to my 2nd prosthetics legs a week ago. Because I'm double, I use ring liners because if they were pin liners probably it would make much pressure at the beginning of my stumps . I have a doubt..how do put filling socks underneath the ring properly? .. I can't find any videos. 😕 Can someone help me please? Thank you kind people.
I watch you on utube and when you got your first leg you started walking on it right away. this wasn't what happened in my case. even after four days I still need to use my walker. I am a bk left and I can't put all my weight on left side. my temp. leg fits well, any thoughts about this. thanks
Dean Beler it just takes time to get use to it. I was using sticks for a few weeks, i still feel uncomfortable sometimes but the more i walk the better it feels. Had my first leg now for almost 7 months and i feel like i want to run, i might use a stick in the morning for about an hr then ill be able to walk around till bed time without a stick, ive got a load of layers aswell because of shrinking. im booked in for new cast an measure next month so looking forward to it.
Hope its going well for you 👍🏽
Do you ever get pain i have a damaged nerve in my stump i wonder if you experiance that not phantom pain nerve pain.
I see its been a year.. I had my BK in Jan (this is 4/20) and Yes, my phantom nerve pain -- and Jerks -- can and do get horrendous.
what do you do about sweating? i just recently had my right leg amputated below my knee, and sweating is a serious issue it seems once it starts sweating in my prosthetic it starts rubbing and gets painful.
I'm a recent amputee and will get my first socket next week. Ive asked my prosthesis about colors, he said yours will be Caucasian ?? What I said ? I would like a color, he looked at me strange as if he'd never heard this request. I watched one video where one amputee got his in neon blue, but seemed to possibly also had a problem. Before leaving my appointment I mentioned it again, he replied i can put a bow on it !! I looked at him, with no reply. If you can give me some advice I would really appreciate it. Thanks Karen
So do you have to pay each time you visit your CP?
Try once every six months. Comfort or discomfort a lounge is comfortable, Reline with dental silicone, it's atreat
I wish you had been around when my wife got her sockets as eventually she just gave up wearing her leg. She could never find a comfortable socket.
No more Zest by Basematic?
Is it true that weather can irritate your residual limb?
I am not amputee yet but I can tell you that my foot (that has to be amputated), feels weather change so severly and I don't think that stump will be different, or at least I cannot imagine that it won't.
Im 7 days post op I'm terrified with my pre existing atrophy due to having a nerve cut to my left leg during a spinabifida correction at nine months I'm going to have issues. My butt on that side is a mc flabster no muscle my leg is tiny my right legs a beast. I don't think I can even build it up due to it being a cut nerve? But I could stand on my right leg for days on end so I don't know. Wish it was a year from now. Everyone from hanger to pt to OT are telling my I'm amazing even let me skip rehab after proving my self by being ambulatory around the entire unit 30 minutes after surgery tooting my own horn a bit :) and say this is going to be a breeze for me when compared to my prior situation just scared I won't get a normal feeling back./rant/vent
Gracias, AMPUTEE OT, POR RECOMENDARME ESTE VIDEO TUYO.pensaba que te caia mal pero veo que no.No eres bella pero tampoco fea.Muy bien arreglada pasas por guapa.Te deseo lo mejor del mundo.
Ma'am There are things I wanna ask u directly how can I get to talk to u?
when I wear my prosetic my back hurts bad is it me or the leg
Kristy Dodd it sounds like your walking posture has changed, amputees do tend to arch in the bottom of their back in a 'ducklike' fashion. I'd go see a physiotherapist or prosthetist asap
Kristy Dodd it could be your not level, i was having hip pain and they gave my a insole to make it higher 👍🏽all the best
Does anyone ever tip their prosthetist? Like, at Christmas, or a dozen donuts for a thank you for a really great adjustment?
Why not create a jelly cushion for the inside of the socket and it could adjust all on its own and feel comfortable again by adjusting itself all on its own.
are the prosthetics where you are made in a Chemist or hospital where I am it is the local Chemist that makes them R West.
Hii I am handicap I am indian what price lag
I'm sorry i went off. I make my own
WHAT DOES THE FIRST WORD IN THE TITLE MEAN CUP I'M ONLY 9 ??????
Misconceptions mean... assumptions? I mean, it's an idea without having the experience to know otherwise.
Dami Nooki * YOU'RE
It must suck when you have to do all of this.