4 tips for cleaning your prosthesis

A prosthetic arm or leg enables you to function like you always had, even without your missing limb. And whether you use it every day or not, it is very important that you take good care of your prosthesis, as it will last longer if cared for properly. But how should you go about cleaning your prosthesis?

In this blog, we’ll give you four general tips. It’s important to remember that there are lots of different prosthesis out there that all need to be cleaned in slightly different ways, so always consult your O&P professional about the best way to clean yours.

If you have a prosthetic leg, you probably have a liner too: a kind of sock that you wear over your residual limb and that you use to attach your socket. It is important that you clean your liner every day. It should be part of your daily hygiene routine. Always use skin-friendly, fragrance-free soap to prevent skin irritation and damage to your liner.

For step-by-step instructions on cleaning your liner, check out our video on 'How to clean my liner '.

The same goes for your socket: clean it every day. All you need is a damp cloth. If your socket is dirty or in need of more thorough cleaning, you can clean it with a disinfectant first. Finally, wipe it clean with a damp cloth.

Be sure not to expose your prosthesis, socket and liner to heat. In other words: don’t leave them next to or on the heating or in direct sunlight. To dry your liner and socket, use a clean, dry tea towel. To maximise the life span of your prosthesis, leave it in a well-ventilated area.

Want to give your prosthesis a thorough clean? Never take it apart yourself. Remember that all parts were specially assembled by an expert professional, so always leave it as is, even if you want to clean it.

These four general tips are a great place to start, but we’re sure that there are many more pointers out there! We’d love to know how you clean your prosthesis. Share your routine in the Movao forum and inspire others.