fitting for new prosthesis

[K L]

Belinda,
 
i am not too sure about the exact treatment for symes amputations, but i do believe it is best to wear a new prosthesis as soon as possible.  having both legs amputated below the knee for 14 years and having gone through a bone reconstruction a couple summers ago, i understand how concerned you are about injuring your leg.  are you still experiencing any pain or tenderness?  
 
being a first year medical student (and trying to believe that there is goodness in the hearts of all physicians), i think that your physician would not tell you something that will put you in harm's way.  i believe that if your swelling has decreased quite a bit, then your body is responding well to the reconstruction and that you are healing quite nicely.  having a prosthesis on will only make the swelling go down even more and you will have the benefit of walking around on your own even earlier.
 
however, it is your decision to make ultimately, of course.  it sounds like you have some mistrust in the competence of your physician and prosthetist, and i fully understand in you questioning their opinions.  my experiences have also forced me to question the motive and the lack of understanding of physicians and prosthetists.  be sure you know what you want and make them see it that way.  do not do anything that you are uncomfortable with.
 
what reason finally made you want the symes amputation?  i guess i would like to have some understanding of others with amputations, so i may better serve my future patients better.  thanks.
 
 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Belinda Martinez 
To: Amputee Information Network 
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2003 7:10 PM
Subject: RE:fitting for new prosthesis


Yes, my prosthetist said that I could gett fitted this next week but I heard that getting fitted too soon is not good.  I would like to trust everything my doctors and prosthetist say but I've found my answers out the hard way in the past.  Do you think that 3 weeks is okay?
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Roberta Wynn 
To: Amputee Information Network 
Sent: Sunday, November 02, 2003 6:56 PM
Subject: RE:fitting for new prosthesis


have you talked with a prothetist?
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Belinda Martinez 
To: Amputee Information Network 
Sent: Sunday, November 02, 2003 4:59 PM
Subject: RE:fitting for new prosthesis


I converted from a Chopart amputation to a Symes on the 16th of October.  Does anyone have an educated answer as to when I should start getting fit for a new prosthesis?  I know that it might depend on how much the person swells but my doctor said that I don't have as much swelling as most people.  I don't want to get fitted too early and then run into problems.  Thanks, Belinda.



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