Amputees Support Group

Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma or surgery. Many have undergone amputation or have been living with a missing limb since birth. In either case, life as an amputee can be challenging. This is the place to find others going through the same experiences as an amputee. Share your thoughts, troubles, and solutions with the community.

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LeftBKMarch2007 04/06/2009

Now I have a question for all of you, it all started last Thursday when I got home from work I was mad at the world so I decided to rake my yard. Well my prosthetic was not adjusted or on tight with enough socks on, like I said I mad so I just went out and started to rake. Well a little later the back bone in my leg started to hurt because bad fit (I am having a new leg made I went last week to get the cast made so I am waiting on that to come in) Well now for the past 3 days my leg hurt more then normal I had a hard time getting my prosthetic to fit well so I dont have so much pain with the bone I tried to not wear the leg. But I do like to be moving around and doing stuff, but I did take it easy over the weekends that help a little. Here is the question for anybody that want to answer it if you where in my position would you go to Walk-in or emergency room and tell the story and tell them that you needed something for pain to help you out until you get your new leg? Because I am in more pain then normal but I know there nothing wrong with my stump. Or would just live with it and wait for the new leg to get in. The new leg should be in this week. I am sure it will be better because the fit will be better and I wont have the pressure points inside the leg.

Dennis

deleted_user 04/06/2009

Hi there.
Obviously, you've done *something* to your stump, because it is hurting. If you have the option of going to a walk-in clinic, I would do it over going to an emergency room. Unless of course the pain is bad enough for an emergency room situation, then go there by all means!

No one should have to suffer pain, and if you can get a prescription for something to help you with it, then go for it. Do you have a regular doctor that you can call? There isn't a 100% guarantee that your new leg will make the pain go away, is there? I hope that it does work out that way though.

Good luck to you!

deleted_user 04/06/2009

Since you have to have a prescription from a medical doctor here in the USA to get a new prosthesis made, I'd go to what ever doctor gave you the prescription for the new prosthesis and have that doctor look at your stump and have him/her get your pain medication. If this doctor understands your situation enough to write a prescription for a new leg then they should understand the need for pain meds in the mean time.

LeftBKMarch2007 04/06/2009

I dont like going to doctors unless I am in need of one, I just figure that the leg wasnt on right and it cause a pitch point on the bone then it cause pain not a lot but just enough. I figure if I go to the Walk-in clinic and tell them that I was in pain due to a bad fit and I would like something for the pain they would think that all I wanted was the drugs and there nothing wrong with me and send me home with nothing but the bill. As going to the doctor that gave me the prescription. I would have to wait for two week to get in and see him; I hope to have my new leg by then and it will be a better fit and stop the pain so I wont need the drugs because I really dont like taking pills either. Thank you for your response and advise

Dennis

papertrucker 04/10/2009

u are indeed in a pickle.I would go to a walk-in clinic.U have a better chance of getting a script.

LeftBKMarch2007 04/11/2009

Was at my family doc today for a check up did tell him that I was in pain and he did write a script for so it been taken care of. Plus I get my new leg on Monday so everything is looking up thanks all for the support and advice

Dennis

deleted_user 04/11/2009

Let us know how that new leg is fitting you.

LeftBKMarch2007 04/16/2009

its working out well need a few more adjustment thats why they called it a check socket I guess. Make a few adjustment before the perm socket would like this one to last longer then a year. The E-vac systems is really nice but due to the extra liner and all I have been having troubles with a rash around my leg where the liner ends and the skin begins. Been using Desitin ointment thats been helping. I hope that the rash will go away and I will be able to use the E-Vac system I like how it feels and fit more stable doesn't move it nice but if this rash doesn't get better I am not sure what I will do.

Dennis

deleted_user 04/17/2009

It's most likely the liner causing your rash, the oils and silcone in the liner are different from company to company and often just changing brands of liners will fix the rash problems. There's at least 8 different brands of liners that I know of so give them all a try till you find one that doesn't give you a rash. There's also urethane liners instead of silicone.

deleted_user 04/20/2009

Hey Dennis (again0,
I end up with more blackheads on my leg than a rash, but to ward the little devils off I wash my stump at night with unscented butt wipes (go ahead, have a good laugh). If I were you, I would then follow that up with a hydrocortisone cream for the night then clean it off before you suit up in the morning. I use A & D oinkment under my sleeves, mild enough for long days and slick enough to beat the rub.
Kevin

LeftBKMarch2007 04/21/2009

Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid. It works by decreasing or preventing tissues from responding to inflammation. It also modifies the body's response to certain immune stimulation. I will not use it now because it is a steroid and if you look it up on the internet and see all of the warning on it you would think twice about using it but Thank you for the suggestion. I do use A&D cream after I do wash my leg and before bed, then when I get up I wash my leg again and put on Desitin for the day, thats what I am tring this week anyways.

I did talk with my leg guy today last monday I got my new test socket with the e-Vac systems, well it turns out that he forgot to round the edge on the liner, so the edge was cutting into the skin making me think it was a rash. He did round the edge and its already looking better.

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