Stump swelling advice ??

[dave71]

Hello, I’m new on here and looking for some advice on how to reduce stump swelling, I have a lower limb symes amputation, 3 months ago had a lesion removed from the rear of my leg, unfortunately due to a infection I was unable to wear my prosthetic limb, I have now thankfully healed and on trying to wear my socket not a chance !! I am currently trying a Pamaid weekly at my local centre but looking for ideas how to speed the process up, any advice would be most helpful 

[cherylm]

Hi, Dave, and welcome! It sounds to me like you may be from the UK??? ("centre" and "Pamaid" are what I'm using to make this guess....) I know that there are some variations on the way Brits address post-amputation swelling issues and the way we look at it here in the U.S.........but how much of a role does stump compression and elevation normally play in recoveries where you're located?

Every single time I've had any sort of injury that's kept me out of my socket for more than a day or two, I've wound up having to wrap my limb with elastic bandages, use an actual shrinker, and/or spend waaayy too many hours laying around elevating my leg. Have you tried any or all of that?

After a recent revision surgery, it took me quite a few days with the shrinker, laying on my back with my stump stuck up in the air, before I was able to start trying to work my way back into my socket. That also took several days...I would ease the socket on as far as it would go, and then "walk" myself around gently in my wheelchair for a while, take the leg off, and rest for a while before trying it again.

Long story short....it can take a long time for swelling to subside. You need to balance "working" on it and giving your limb time to recover. It's frustrating as all get-out, but pushing too hard to rush the procedure can just create more problems and lengthen your recovery. Hang in there!