rob
New Member
Posts: 3
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Post by rob on Feb 18, 2014 23:29:08 GMT -7
Hi my name is Rob and I have been at work for about eight months. My problem is im struggling with the impact, intensity, heat etc. Any tips from someone in a high impact environment would be appreciated. My profession is a roadman my accident was at work and suffered a below knee amputation.
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Post by snarfler on Feb 19, 2014 20:45:13 GMT -7
Rob, I'm not grasping your question. Could you be more specific about what you do and what problems you're having doing it.
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rob
New Member
Posts: 3
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Post by rob on Feb 26, 2014 21:06:19 GMT -7
Ah problems are the excess skin after muscle wastage it gathers back of knee and creates pressure wounds. Bony are inside knee gets friction. Heat welts, ingrown hair and infection of the hair follicle's. My job is on my feet 24/7 operating machinery and hand tools ie asphalt pavers, rollers screeding, shovelling etc Heavy work.
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Post by ann- on Feb 27, 2014 6:39:10 GMT -7
Hi Rob, not sure on the work aspect, but its sounds a bit like the prosthetic socket isn't fitting you quite right and may need some alteration. If you are a new amputee it might be that your stump has shrunk down into the socket, the stump shrinking due to lessening of swelling and muscle wastage is very normal in the first year following surgery so its often usual to need frequent alterations and refits of the socket.
If the heat and perhaps sweating are becoming a problem, if it was me, I would talk to my prosthetist about that as there are things that might be able to help you with that, things like special socks to wick away sweat, special antiperspirants, etc or perhaps you might benefit from a different kind of set-up, but talk to them about this as well as getting a check on how the socket is fitting.
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Post by snarfler on Feb 27, 2014 13:18:34 GMT -7
I fully understand. You are still in a transitional stage of shrinkage where the volume of your leg can change enough to effect your fit. This will stabilize in time. It will not stop. In the interim I feel you would benefit by wearing a Shrinker to bed or wrapping your leg with Ace bandages at night. The excess skin will tighten up in time but right now it's being chewed between your bone and your socket. As Ann mentioned there is a type of sock called a Prosthetic Sheath that can be worn between your leg and your liner that helps with perspiration and also acts to lubricate reducing chaffing.
Ingrown hairs and infected follicles are called, "Folliculitis" This too shall pass in time as you will lose all hair in these areas. There are prescription creams available however the best treatment is good old fashioned soap and hot water. Never apply powders or anti-perspirants to these areas. They will clog the follicle and compound the problem. As for work adaptions, I fully understand what you do. First can we eliminate the problem? Can you move to the dump truck or the drag box? If not I would suggest, first a lighter work boot, then having the socket covered in Kevlar to reduce heat penetration.
Sound like a plan?
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Post by allenuk on Mar 1, 2014 9:46:53 GMT -7
Hello Rob.
Sorry to hear of your troubles. Bad enough having one leg, without a physical job as well. (Office workers are far luckier).
What Snarfier and Ann say is true. It will settle down, but it's just really bad luck that you've got to go on working through this 'settling down' phase. What sort of back-up do you get from your prosthetist? Are they helpful, do they provide any good ideas?
A.
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