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Post by elishaj33 on Jul 16, 2014 8:15:00 GMT -7
Hi everyone, yesterday we made my prosthetic and I walked for the first time in 15 weeks. It went really well and at one point, I walked without canes. They were impressed. I had the ertl procedure 15 weeks ago and I'm a below the knee, left side. I haven't had a lot of pain and I don't think I have any phantom pain. The question I have for you all is was your stump very sensitive and tender? The only thing that makes me nervous is how sensitive and tender the end of my limb is still. If I press on it, it feels like a big bruise. If I didn't have this tenderness, I would feel a lot better. Is this normal? When should I start to see the tenderness/bruised feeling go away? After yesterday with walking for the first time, it is a lot worse. I have heard it takes time, so I'm being patient.  |
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Post by stonecutter on Jul 17, 2014 12:01:05 GMT -7
Yes, you will need to be patient. To be honest - it took me a good couple of years to feel normal. There was so much of your anatomy that gets moved or removed in an amputation, it takes your body a while to be alright with the new set up.
I had a revision surgery in 2012 (there's a thread about it here somewhere). It was almost 18 years after my accident, and even after that it took just about a year to gain that normalcy back.
Hang in there - I know a lot of folks likely have been telling you this but it will be better - just takes time.
Welcome to the "Some Assembly Required" club.
Trevor
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Post by cherylm on Jul 18, 2014 1:46:04 GMT -7
It will take some time for your body to adjust...maybe not as long as Trevor's experience, but at least a few months. The possibility of "about a year" is not at all unusual and can be a pretty good way to think about recovery timelines. In my case, it took three or four months after getting my first prosthesis before I felt good walking (although I was able to walk very early on). And there is a genuine need to "desensitize" your stump both following surgery and when breaking in a new leg. If your doctor or prosthetist hasn't talked to you about that yet, you may want to ask them. From what I know about folks who have had the ertl procedure, ultimately it should give you more security and less pain than a traditional trans-tibial amputation. Since I'm your basic trans-tib amp, I can't really advise you on the amounts of sensitivity which would be considered "normal" for you...but one thing I am confident about saying is that a prosthesis that is fitted properly will not hurt. So if any of your sensitivity appears to be the result of the prosthesis pressing on a particular spot, your leg guys need to fix that problem. Do know that, while it can sometimes seem like it's taking "forever" to get back to normal, you will indeed get there! And welcome from me, as well!  |
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Post by stonecutter on Jul 18, 2014 10:10:29 GMT -7
I should have stated - my amputation was a result of a traumatic injury and therefore the 'feeling normal' status may have taken longer as a result. Everyone's case is different and you have to factor in a lot of different circumstances into the situation.
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Post by elishaj33 on Jul 18, 2014 11:41:44 GMT -7
Thanks guys! For whatever reason I feel the need to be reassured. I walked today for the 2nd time and I already saw an improvement in the comfort level. My leg guys are even doing more tweaks based on where my skin was red. I feel a lot more optimistic today. It's helpful to be able to bounce questions of you who have been there.
I can't wait for the next few weeks, I'm soooo excited about walking again. Ahhh...it will be nice.
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Post by stonecutter on Jul 21, 2014 6:43:03 GMT -7
Thanks guys! For whatever reason I feel the need to be reassured. I walked today for the 2nd time and I already saw an improvement in the comfort level. My leg guys are even doing more tweaks based on where my skin was red. I feel a lot more optimistic today. It's helpful to be able to bounce questions of you who have been there. I can't wait for the next few weeks, I'm soooo excited about walking again. Ahhh...it will be nice. No worries! That's why these forums are here! In the weeks after I started walking with a prosthesis, I noticed that when I first put it on in the morning for the day, it'd take a few moments for it to 'feel right' in that it was like my stump was protesting for a few steps. Once I walked around for a bit it would feel better and I'd get on with the day. I'd be interested in hearing if others had the same experience. Also - I started off walking aided by crutches (couple of weeks), then I graduated to two canes, then finally one. I walked with a cane for a few weeks after getting my prosthesis, as it felt like I was walking on a stilt until I got used to it. I don't know if it's like that for everyone though. It took me about three months after my accident to be able to walk again so I can understand your statement about being excited to be walking about again. Please keep us posted on your progress! And - if you feel the need to vent or ask additional questions, please do so! That's why we're here. |
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Post by Ann on Jul 28, 2014 23:41:30 GMT -7
Hi everyone, yesterday we made my prosthetic and I walked for the first time in 15 weeks. It went really well and at one point, I walked without canes. They were impressed. I had the ertl procedure 15 weeks ago and I'm a below the knee, left side. I haven't had a lot of pain and I don't think I have any phantom pain. The question I have for you all is was your stump very sensitive and tender? The only thing that makes me nervous is how sensitive and tender the end of my limb is still. If I press on it, it feels like a big bruise. If I didn't have this tenderness, I would feel a lot better. Is this normal? When should I start to see the tenderness/bruised feeling go away? After yesterday with walking for the first time, it is a lot worse. I have heard it takes time, so I'm being patient. Hi Elisha, didn't have the ertle procedure, but, yes, there was sensitivity and tenderness in the early days of getting used to a prosthesis and when I had my last revision amp used crutches for quite a while because of this and although the limb might look like it is healed on the outside, inside there is probably still a lot of healing going on, so when you do get your prosthesis you usually just build up your tolerances to wearing it, even without the surgery part, your leg is going to have to get used to taking quite a bit of pressure and weight in parts where its never had to do this before. So lots of patience probably needed, though it will settle down and in time it will just become normal. But anything you are concerned about with the limb or the socket of the prosthesis, ask your leg people about, they will probably just reassure you but always good to check things out. You say your leg men are doing more 'tweaking' etc so work with them on that and try and feed back to them how the leg is feeling etc., any persistent red marks etc probably mean the socket needs adjustment, you will have lots of changes to your sockets in the first few months, maybe year, as your leg shrinks down. Know how exicting it is though to be up and walking again, so hope it wont be too long before you are doing this without thinking about it. |
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Post by elishaj33 on Jul 29, 2014 10:53:35 GMT -7
Thanks Annie, it's been about 2 weeks since my original post and the tenderness has subsided a lot. Everyday is easier. There are even some moments where I think "this feels really good". I'm up to like 5 socks already that I have to wear consistently, so I know I'm doing a lot of shrinking. Actually now my knee is a little achy, but I think it is all the socks putting pressure on my knee.
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Post by cherylm on Jul 30, 2014 3:53:01 GMT -7
You're likely to be doing a LOT of shrinking for at least a few months...heck, nearly ten years in, I'm still shrinking myself, although that's because I've been able to be more and more active over the years and am continuing to lose weight all over...stump included!
Just continue working at it, keeping an eye on things like those aforementioned lingering red marks, and don't be afraid to call your leg team as often as necessary to keep things fitting well.
I'm glad to hear that it's continuign to get better for you!
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Post by Ann on Aug 15, 2014 2:26:23 GMT -7
I am glad it is getting easier Elisha.
As Cheryl says you are likely to be doing a LOT of shrinking for a while, as you become more active, so don't worry about this, its normal, but do keep an eye on the skin and the sock situation, because shrinking isn't always even and sometimes too many extra socks can become a problem, so if I was even two or three socks up, I would be going back to my prosthetist and asking to be recast, especially if you have long waits for sockets to be made because you really want to avoid a rub/skin breakdown which might take you off your leg whilst it heals, so keep an eye on any red marks and that 'achey knee' as it might be an indicator that the socket is not fitting you.
Having just had a revision I am going to be following these tips myself soon, as will probably be shrinking again too.
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Post by snarfler on Aug 16, 2014 7:04:38 GMT -7
Hi folks. Been away for a while boating.
Hi Elisha. Welcome aboard. I'm familiar with the Ertl. It's a great concept but leaves a large amount of soft tissue in the distal area. It requires a full contact socket which you are well aware you're losing as you shrink. As a personal rule, I order a new socket when I get to Five ply. The problem with socks is that they cover areas where you don't need them. This will cause you a sore spot.
I think it's incredible that you're walking so soon after surgery. Surgery takes about a year to fully recover. Meanwhile, you will continue to shrink rapidly for the next few months. In six months you will need a new socket. What equipment are you riding? I'm partial to FlexFoot. Veriflex or Mod III.
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Post by vader7 on Oct 23, 2014 18:31:42 GMT -7
You are doing great, soon it won't hurt like that at all. Even if you do bump your stump on something, or someone. You will be asking them if they are OK because it doesn't hurt anymore. It gets tough like you pretty quickly. Solution to shrinking?I added that link because for 19 years I never knew I could get thicker gel liners, and knowing is half the battle.  Soak with epsom salt in a hot bath until your good and pruned and see if that helps, elevation and compression with an ace bandage helps too. |
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