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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How long til I get a "permanent" leg?

panhines
panhines
How long does it generally take until one gets a permanent socket and foot? I've had my temporary for a while now and the prosthetist just keeps saying "come back in 2 weeks", "come back in 2 weeks", "come back....". I'm a bit disenchanted at this point. I know someone else who had the same amputation a week after me and he's had his "permanent leg" for a while now. I don't quite know what the issue is!!
NeedAdvice2013
NeedAdvice2013
Hey Friend,

I am no expert.....but my father went thru this and it depends on your personal physical condition, how fast your stump shrinks, etc....if they fit you too quickly, it will be painful,etc...as when your stump shrinks again, you have to add more socks which then becomes very hot. For my father, it was almost 7 months.....hang in there and message me anytime:)
patt1937
patt1937
It depends on what one calls permanent. I use Hanger, so when I got my leg they called it permanent, but after after 13 months I was using 9 plies worth of socks. I was fitted for a new socket and a 6 mm liner, but chose to keep my original foot and this combination is working well and should last a while. From my experience, I would say that around a year to 18 months is a good data point.
papertrucker
papertrucker
in 7 years I have had 5 sockets made .The last 2 where because i quit smoking ,weight gain,it took about 9 months till they gave me a C leg.I have a really long stump(above the knee) and it is shaped like a mushroom making fitting very difficult.
panhines
panhines
Thank you all for your replies. I guess I'm just being impatient...not unusual for me! My temporary "foot" is ok. It's the enormous plastic socket I really want to get rid of. But I guess that will come as soon as possible. I just hope ski season doesn't get here first!!