Frequently Asked Questions
Click on the statement below that most matches the problem that you are having.
If you have a wound on your residual limb – even if it is only a blister - you need to reduce the time that you wear the limb and if possible stop wearing it altogether. If you have a wheelchair, try to undertake as much as possible from the wheelchair and keep limb wearing to a minimum. Alternatively rest the limb by sitting in an ordinary chair without the limb on as much as possible. If the tissues are swollen or you are wearing a dressing on the wound, this will make the socket tighter and may make healing slower.
Keep you residual limb elevated .Use a stump board with your wheelchair if you have one.
If the wound needs attention, looks red, swollen or infected please contact your GP or District Nurse.
When you think your wound has healed contact us to make an appointment to see your Prosthetist so that we can check the fit of your socket.
Please make sure that you contact your GP or District Nurse as soon as possible.
Take a photograph ( or ask a friend or relative ) and send it to your General Practitioner.
You may need to consider not walking for a while until your wounds heal.
If you need further help or advice please contact the centre and ask to speak to one of the clinicians.
If your prosthetic leg is broken or you have any of the above problems but you have a socket that is comfortable and does not need altering, call us and ask for an appointment to see the Clinical Support Technician who can repair your limb. Explain to the person who takes your call what you think the problem is so that we can ensure that we have the right parts available to repair your limb.
The limb remains the property of the NHS and you should not make any repairs or alterations to the limb.
We understand that at this time you may not want to attend the hospital.
Please phone us and ask to speak to one of the clinical team who will advise you.
There are several options:
- You may be able to ask a friend or relative to bring your prosthetic leg to the centre for repair. They may be asked to wait in the car whilst a minor repair is undertaken or they may be asked to call back at another time to collect the limb.
- We may be able to post the limb back to you in certain circumstances.
- We may be able to help you by sending you replacement socks or ordering new liners for you which can be sent to you by post.
Contact the clinical team to discuss the problem.
It may be that it is appropriate for you to use more socks or socks of a different thickness that will help to hold the leg on until you feel able to attend for an appointment with your prosthetist.
It may be that you have put on weight and this will affect the fit of your prosthetic leg. Alternatively you may have some swelling present.
If you think the problem is swelling and you have a Juzo compression sock, please wear it during the day. with or without your prosthetic limb.
If your Juzo sock is too tight please call us for further advice.
Try to sit in a wheelchair or a normal chair for significant periods during the day with your leg elevated.
It is quite normal to feel anxious and depressed at this time with the changes to your lifestyle and the current Covid restrictions.
The Dorset Prosthetics Centre has a counsellor who will be able to contact you by telephone to discuss your concerns.
If your problems are not related to your limb loss it may be that there are other psychological support services that you can access e.g. via your GP.
If your mood is so low that you hare having suicidal thoughts please contact your GP and/or the Samaritans. Tel 116 123.
Some people find that they can no longer use the prosthesis and find activities easier from their wheelchar or if the patient has passed away. Please return the limb to the Dorset prosthetic centre as we support the charity, Legs for Africa with the parts that are recycled.
