Embracing Warm Weather with Confidence – A Guide to Staying Active in Summer with Prosthetics

As the weather gets warmer, you may notice some seasonal changes that affect your prosthetic. From variations in fit to increased perspiration, these factors can’t be avoided altogether — but with the right care, you can continue to enjoy your favorite summer activities with minimal impact on your prosthetic use.

Prosthetics in the Heat: What to Expect from Seasonal Changes

Oftentimes, warm weather leads to swelling in your extremities. Heat prompts blood vessels to dilate, and gravity forces fluids to move down into your hands or legs. Known as heat edema, this phenomenon is normal, but can be particularly irritating if you find your prosthetic fits differently when the temperature rises. Besides being uncomfortable, an ill-fitting prosthetic can lead to more serious issues, including skin sores, pain, and instability.

Summer may also introduce opportunities to enjoy more warm-weather fun. From boating to beachside vacations, there are plenty of outdoor activities to fill the long, temperate days of summer. Chances are these experiences will also lead to an increase in moisture levels, whether it’s sweat, water, or a combination of both.

Moisture damage could be a concern depending on the type of prosthetic device you have. For instance, metal components can corrode or electronic components could be compromised. And no matter which type of device you have, trapped moisture can create an environment for infections, or could cause your prosthetic to slip out of place.

Tips for Wearing Prosthetics in the Heat

Even with the less-than-ideal aspects of summer to consider, you can enjoy outdoor activities safely and comfortably as a prosthetics wearer — here’s how.

Block Out Moisture

Keeping your residual limb dry is one of the most important ways to maintain safe and comfortable use of your prosthetic in warm weather. You can’t avoid sweating in the heat, but moisture-absorbing prosthetic socks are a simple solution. These sheath-like garments are made from moisture-wicking materials to keep your residual limb dry and comfortable. If you’re planning a long outing, consider packing multiple socks for easy changes.  

Clean or Change Your Liner

Prosthetic liners are designed to enhance safety and comfort by creating a cushion between your residual limb and the prosthetic socket. While some may last up to 12 months, others may begin to wear within six to nine months. As with the prosthesis itself, a liner’s longevity will also depend on individual factors, such as your activity levels.

Since weather-related moisture may accelerate wear and tear, it’s especially important to check your liner this time of year. You may need to change it sooner, or you might find that having an extra one as backup comes in handy. For example, you’ll want to wash your liner with soap and water often during the summer to keep it clean and free of bacteria. Consider using a fresh one while your go-to liner dries.

See Your Prosthetist

If you’re experiencing any discomfort or fit issues, don’t wait to see your prosthetist. While a permanent prosthesis can be expected to last up to five years, you may need a new socket if the tissue of your residual limb has settled into shape, or the socket has become damaged. Our prosthetic care team is here to ensure the maximum level of comfort and support, whether you require minor adjustments or being fitted with an entirely new device.

Schedule a Prosthetics Appointment With Vascular Surgical Associates

From prosthetic walking and training to pre-surgical consultations and follow-up care, rely on our dedicated physicians and prosthetists for comprehensive prosthetic care. To schedule an appointment, use our online request form or call our office at 770-423-0595.

Love it or hate it, winter weather is fully upon us. And while snow, sleet, wind, and ice can pose challenges for everyone, being a lower limb amputee calls for extra care. Not only does cold weather affect prosthetics, but it can also impact your residual limb.

You don’t have to be stuck inside until spring, though. Find out what to expect through the winter and how to prepare yourself for harsh weather below.

How Does Cold Weather Affect Prosthetics?

Safety Hazards

Icy walkways and snow-covered surfaces make for slippery conditions. These hazards pose fall risks for everyone, including amputees. While environmental awareness is important in all conditions, it’s especially critical in winter.

Joint Pain

Many lower-limb amputees load their intact limb with more weight, even with a properly fitting prosthetic. It’s therefore an unfortunate fact that you may have some degree of arthritis in your intact limb. If symptoms feel worse during winter, it’s not just in your head. Barometric pressure changes can impact joints and make them feel stiffer or more painful than usual.

Residual Limb Discomfort

There’s less atmospheric moisture during winter, which means everything tends to feel a bit dryer. This may also be the case with your residual limb. If your skin becomes too dry, it can lead to itchiness or irritation. Chilly temperatures can also cause stiffness and pain throughout your residual limb.

Damage to Prosthetics

Many prosthetics are made to withstand a range of environmental conditions. Yet, no material will be able to endure the corrosive effects of road salt and other melting solutions for too long. Minimizing exposure to these agents is key to preserving the lifespan of your prosthetic.

4 Cold Weather Safety Tips for Lower Limb Amputees

Winter certainly brings a unique set of challenges for people who use prosthetics, but you can confront them by being prepared. Navigate the cold weather safely with these tips.

1. Increase Your Traction

While you’ll want to avoid slippery surfaces whenever possible, having the right gear can help you stay safe should you encounter them. Rubber-soled footwear is a good start, but consider adding cleats to your prosthetics for extra traction, too. If you use a cane or crutch, add a spiked bottom to stabilize it.

2. Tread Carefully

Snow and slush are easy to spot, but thin ice can be invisible. And black ice isn’t exclusive to roadways; it can also form in parking lots and other paved surfaces. Sidewalks, steps, and ramps can all become covered with a thin sheen of ice. If the temperature is below freezing (or has been recently), assume any outdoor surfaces could be slippery, and tread with extra caution.

3. Bundle Up

Keep joint and residual limb discomfort to a minimum by dressing warm. This will also prevent shrinkage in your residual limb, which could affect the fit of your prosthetic. Layer up and bring cold weather accessories like gloves and a hat to avoid getting a chill when you’re heading out.

4. Maintain Your Prosthetic

If you have any maintenance concerns, now is the time to address them. Have your prosthetist investigate any loose screws or bolts, unfamiliar sounds such as squeaks or clicks, sticking parts, or other signs of damage. Continue practicing your home care routine to keep your prosthetic performing well through winter weather, too. Be diligent about cleaning it, especially if you’ve encountered corrosive materials like ice melt.  

Schedule Prosthetic Care With Vascular Surgical Associates

Vascular Surgical Associates’ Prosthetics Center is your source for unparalleled prosthetics care in every season. From pre-surgical prosthesis counseling to follow-up adjustments, our team is committed to ensuring your comfort, and helping you reach your long-term goals. For appointments, submit a request online or call our office at 770-423-0595.

For individuals who have experienced limb loss, the prosthesis that delivers the best possible outcome will be the one that has a proper fit. An improperly-fitted prosthesis can cause discomfort and could even damage other parts of your body. 

While it may take some time to find, and then adjust to, a prosthetic device, here are a few tips to bear in mind during your search.

Four Factors to Seek in a Well-Fitting Prosthetic 

1. Composition That Meets Your Needs

There are two main types of limb prostheses: exoskeletal and endoskeletal. Exoskeletal prostheses feature a hard, outer plastic or metal shell resembling the shape of the limb, and are not easily adjusted after they’re made. The materials these prosthetics are built with do hold up well against a variety of environments and rigorous use, making them a good choice for people who enjoy the outdoors or perform weight-bearing physical labor. 

Endoskeletal prostheses have an inner skeletal structure, with a softer covering — often of synthetic skin. While these are a bit less durable, they have a wider range of motion, are more easily adjusted, and often less cumbersome. 

2. A Snug-Fitting Socket

To ensure a precise fit, a prosthetist creates a mold of the residual limb using fiberglass, plaster, or computer imaging. This mold is then used to build a model of the limb, around which a socket is formed. This socket is thoroughly tested using a diagnostic prosthetic to make sure it will provide the optimal comfort, support, and stability you need. 

As this is one of the most important elements of getting a prosthetic limb, fitting typically takes several appointments with your prosthetist, and can involve over a dozen separate fabrication procedures in the lab. While the process can feel drawn out, finding a team that takes their time to ensure the absolute best fit is essential to your long-term comfort, support, and functionality.

3. Ample Cushioning

For optimal comfort, the area where the residual limb meets the prosthetic must be supported with appropriate cushioning. Many prosthetists use an interface featuring a silicone gel or viscoelastic material to keep the skin protected and adjust pressure as needed.

4. Ongoing Support

Using a prosthetic device comes with a steep learning curve which calls for ongoing support, potentially including physical and occupational therapy. Depending on the site of your amputation, it may take several months before you’re ready for continuous use.

“The right prosthetist will collaborate with your other healthcare providers to take a multidisciplinary approach in your prosthetic care plan,” assures Eric Chen, Vascular Surgical Associates’ prosthetist. For example, at Vascular Surgical Associates, our rehabilitation program may include consultations from other specialists, peer visits with amputees who have successfully navigated their prosthetic journey, and a treatment plan involving specialized and individualized techniques.

The best prosthetics team will also provide continuous check-ins, as parts of your prosthesis may need to be replaced at regular intervals over the coming years. They can also help you watch for signs of a poor fit, such as blisters, difficulty moving the prosthesis, and too much movement of your residual limb within the socket. 

With prosthetic expertise and cutting-edge technology, Vascular Surgical Associates offers a supportive path towards the goals you have in mind after limb loss. Find out more about our Total Prosthetic Care Plan online or schedule a consultation by calling 770-423-0595.

According to the Amputee Coalition, more than 2.1 million people in the U.S. are living with limb loss — a number that’s projected to jump to 3.6 million by 2050. While trauma is a common cause of amputation, the majority of cases are caused by vascular disease. For instance, 85% of lower-limb amputations are preceded by foot ulcers, a common characteristic of circulatory impediments caused by diabetes.

While these statistics may seem grim, advancements in the world of prosthetics are accelerating at a rapid pace. Here’s a look at some of the most promising developments.

3D Printing

Also known as additive manufacturing, 3D printing is the process of creating three-dimensional objects from digital files. It uses the successive layering of materials such as plastic, composites, or bio-materials to fully structure and form an object of nearly any design. This method provides greater flexibility in creating complex shapes than standard manufacturing processes. 

“In the prosthesis space, 3D printing is expected to be an important tool to address unique patient needs and unpredictable demand,” asserts the Alliance of Advanced BioMedical Engineering,  “A custom-fit prosthetic device offers myriad benefits, not the least of which is patient comfort and improved functionality.”

Already there have been some remarkable results. Self-taught engineer Ben Ryan of North Wales, for example, teamed up with Bangor University to build a prosthetic for his year-old son, whose arm required amputation at the elbow after delivery complications. When Ryan learned that a traditional prosthetic wouldn’t be available until his son turned three — an age when doctors believed the child may be more likely to reject it — Ryan set to designing them on his own. The first one was assembled from a kitchen sponge and medical dressing when his son Sol was five weeks old, and the successful developments have evolved from there, with the help of 3D printing technology. 

Now, the e-NABLE network brings together volunteers who are using 3D printing “to give the world a helping hand.” Designers, physicians, 3D print enthusiasts, and engineers are providing customized prosthetics to amputees, and the network even has a “Handomatic” program that allows users to customize STL files to print their own devices.

Myoelectric Prostheses

Traditional prostheses offer some degree of support and mobility, but they lack full limb functionality. Companies such as Arm Dynamics are using myoelectric prosthetics, including fingers, hooks, and elbows, to provide a greater range of functionality, including multiple grip patterns. These devices can be used in conjunction with targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) surgery to reassign nerves and give the amputee better control over their device.

Composite Materials

One challenge in prosthetic manufacturing is the need to create devices with flexibility and strength, but that are not too heavily weighted. Composite materials are lightweight in nature, and provide both corrosion resistance and stability. They have increasingly replaced heavier metals, such as steel, and will likely remain at the forefront of innovations in prosthetics.

Carbon fiber is also becoming a popular choice for its flexibility, making it a suitable option for prosthetic feet. This material is used in the Flex-Foot Cheetah® running blades, the prosthetics developed by medical engineer Van Phillips whose leg was severed in a water-skiing incident. Phillips’ blades have since been used by competitors in the Olympic Games, and have already greatly changed the prosthetics field.The Prosthetic and Medical Team at VSA provides an outcome-based Total Prosthetic Care Plan that offers the highest level of medical care and prosthetic expertise. We’re committed to leveraging cutting-edge technology to offer the best solutions for our patients based on their individualized needs. Learn more here or schedule an appointment by calling (770) 423-0595.