Amputees Support Group

It depends on if you are going to go with a electronic device or not. If not then yes but ask your leg guy about it first when you get fitted with your prosthesis. But one advice I would give you is cover up the foot shell so no water can get in there its a pain to take apart and dry it out and then put back together. Also think about how will you wash your leg got to keep that clean too.

Good luck
Dennis

Generally it's best to shower without your prosthesis on and use a shower chiar or stool. Since you want to keep your stump as clean as possible to help prevent any possible infections, showering with your prosthesis on makes it next to impossible to do that. The shower (or bath) is also a good place to take a good look at your limb to make sure you don't have any blisters or raw spots that can lead to infection.

Now if you feel the need to have a leg on when showering then yes it will all depend on what type of leg you end up with, The Limblogic vaccum system is waterproof down to 10 feet so it is just fine for you to shower with it on (make sure the foot you're using can get wet) I have a Perfect Stride 2 foot and the limblogic vac system for my everyday leg, both are OK to get wet so if I want to shower or swim in my everyday leg I can, I was glad to find this out, now I don't need to get a different leg for water skiing :o).

Dennis has made an excellent point. The bottom line answer here is talk to your prosthetist - call him or her. Most legs are pretty water tolerant but some store water and you may have to turn it upside down to get it out. I agree that you should bathe and inspect your stump - sometimes i do and sometimes I don't . Often, I just wash my stump with a washclothe after the snower while getting dressed and sitting on a chair. We are all different. I have not had a skin problem in years so I am not a great example of someone who puts a lot of care into it. I also take both my legs into the ocean. My prothetist kind of grimaced when I told hikm this but so far no ill affects. Again, you need to call the prosthetist before you do this. I have never figured out how to get out of the ocean without my leg on. Not fun getting knocked down by a big wave and hopping does not work in 4 feet of salt water. :-)
John

I have never seen an insurance company pay for a leg that is just to be used in water or the shower. They call that a luxury. Guess they want us all the smell bad and be dirty huh?

I have the Otto Bock Harmony with an axtion foot (sp) . I am a new BKA, been in PT for 3 1/2 weeks...went from crutches to cane last week. When really sore, walked 1/2 mile tonight, I usually need crutches that night.
For you swimmers, silly newbee question, do you take your shoe off and just have the plastic cover foot for the ocean OR a pool. Taking my family on a cruise in March and I wanna be able to do everything waterwise, that is realistic. All advice greatly appreciated. Dean
PS I was into boating my whole life and need to work around this

buy a pair of swim shoes ti fit your feet.