8 tips for your prosthesis fitting

This article contains a number of general tips for your prosthesis fitting. It goes without saying that your O&P professional knows what is most important for you and his or her advice and recommendations form the basis of a good fitting. All the same, we’d like to share eight tips with you that may help you get the most out of your prosthesis.

  1. Bring the shoes you normally wear or expect to wear most often in the future with you. This forms a good basis for your prosthesis fitting because it can be tailored to the shape of the shoe.
  2. Plaster is used during the fitting, so just to be on the safe side, wear loose-fitting clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. Also bring an extra set of clothing in case your clothing gets very dirty.
  3. Have realistic expectations. Be forewarned: during your first appointment, you will not get to simply put on a prosthesis and walk out the door. Keep in mind that you will need several appointments to ensure the best possible fit for your socket and the alignment of your prosthesis.
  4. Are you experiencing problems during the fitting? Let your O&P professional know. Clear and honest communication with your O&P professional is essential for optimising your prosthesis. It is extremely important that you tell him or her exactly what you notice and feel.
  5. No matter how experienced your O&P professional is, he or she does not yet know you very well. So, take the time to get to know each other. O&P professionals are always learning something new with each new patient.
  6. Don’t give up! It goes without saying that your socket must fit properly, but remember that you will experience some pain at first. So, don’t give up during the first four weeks, but give yourself the time to get used to your socket.
  7. Your body changes continuously and that affects the fit of your prosthesis. So, make sure to keep all follow-up appointments with your O&P professional to be sure that your prosthesis continues to fit.
  8. Is your socket still painful after the first few weeks? Let your O&P professional know, so that you can find a solution together. There is no reason to live with pain and discomfort.