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Post by rcanterb on Jun 19, 2017 11:44:12 GMT -7
Hello. I am a new 74 year old amputee and have been wearing a prosthesis for 2-3 months. I have developed two types of distal skin issues. First, pressure sores but I am now aware that those are caused by not wearing sufficient socks. Second, I have developed a skin fissure which I suspect is caused by dry skin inside my liner. Has anybody else dealt with fissures? How do you treat and prevent them? Can I continue to wear my prosthesis when one develops? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance and I am very glad to have found this forum.
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Post by cherylm on Jun 19, 2017 21:30:56 GMT -7
Hi and welcome to our little "family!" I've only had a couple of major skin fissures over my 13 years as an amp...and treatment has varied according to the severity of the fissure itself. Sooooo...has a doctor or wound-care nurse evaluated your fissure? I'd highly recommend that you get a medical person's opinion, especially if this is your first episode of skin problems...and follow their directions. NOW, if you're determined to treat this on your own, start with your own evaluation of the fissure: how large is it, how deep is is, is it bleeding or oozing, dry or moist? is it in a spot where you're actually bearing weight on it, or is there no major pressure on it?
Small, not deep, basically dry, not a major pressure point? You might be OK treating it yourself and wearing your prosthesis. You'd need something decent in the way of a wound covering--such as a tegaderm patch (which most pharmacies now seem to carry). Clean the site WELL, apply the dressing, and WATCH THE SITE CLOSELY. If things improve, great; if they get worse, get thee to a doctor.
Larger, deeper, moister, more pressure from your socket? Definitely leave the prosthesis OFF for a while, do the cleaning, dressing, watching business and give the fissure time to heal.
Anything more major than the above, see BOTH a doctor AND your prosthetist and let them sort it out...that's what they're there for. And from here on out, make sure that you are doing all you can to keep the skin on your stump in good condition...including finding yourself a good moisturizer to use each night when you take your leg off. Skin care is a big deal for amputees!
Good luck and let us know how you're doing!
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Post by rcanterb on Jun 20, 2017 7:53:45 GMT -7
Thanks, Cherylm. That is very helpful and I greatly appreciate it.
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