FAQ Amputation

The skin and tissues around the stump are vulnerable since they are not designed to support the weight of your body. For this reason it is essential to take good care of your stump.

Moreover, the device fitted over the stump often prevents the flow of air and traps sweat. So, in addition to ensuring that you wear a suitable prosthesis, you must pay particular attention to skin care, both in terms of everyday hygiene and how you respond to and treat any wounds or inflammation.

It is very important to wash the stump every day in the evening after inspecting it carefully: 

• Wash your stump with pH-neutral soap or a soap-free cleanser.
• Rinse with plenty of water and make sure that no traces of soap remain.
• Dry by dabbing the stump gently with a towel.
• Inspect your skin (using a hand mirror if necessary) and, if there is the slightest lesion (redness, blister, wound…), follow the procedures recommended by your physician.
• Apply a soothing cream to moisturise the stump.

This may be due to:

– An alignment problem with the plunger at the end of the liner. In this case, the liner should be removed and refitted in the correct position.

– The stump being swollen. In this case it should be wrapped with a Biflex-type compression bandage. Wait for about ten minutes and try again. If the problem persists, arrange to see your physician.

The stump may have thinned down, so you need to compensate for this by wearing a special stump sock over the liner, then try to fit it again. You can fit up to three stump socks one on top of each other. If this is not enough to ensure a good fit, you should contact a physician who specialises in the equipment fitted to you.

You must see a physician as soon as possible or a physician who specialises in the equipment fitted to you.

You can ask your prosthetist to adjust the cut of the liner or fit a knitted fabric sleeve between the skin and the liner.

Do not work on the prosthesis yourself, and instead arrange to see your prosthetist promptly.

It is a good idea to keep the liner over the stump or to fit a compression system.