When you lose a limb, the shock can be catastrophic. Having a prosthetic requires the person to learn and adjust to it, which can be a major shock of its own because of the physical therapy (PT) involved as well as getting used to having the presence of the limb again.
An important part of living with a new false limb or appendage is to be patient with the process of learning how to use and work with it. Living with a prosthesis takes time to learn, so you need to set small goals and celebrate yourself on your journey.
To adapt to having a prosthesis, you first need to realize that most won’t completely revive all of your senses. For example, when you get a prosthetic arm, there are technologies that have sensors which connect to the user’s nervous system so that you can feel what you touch. A prosthetic that doesn’t have the expensive tech won’t help the user feel, but the brain can fill in some of the gaps.
Most people with prosthetic legs go through something called Gait Training, the process that focuses on improving the walking and running ability of people with prostheses. It is beneficial for people who have injuries that affect their movement. They work on restoring regular gait patterns — the specific way a person walks or moves on foot to promote movement without coordination problems. Gait Training includes strengthening the hip, core, and leg muscles to enhance a person’s mobility. It often includes using a walker or bars for assistance. Once a patient is comfortable with short distances, they move to the treadmill to train with longer distances and faster speeds.
Matt M. from Cochranville, Pennsylvania, was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma — a cancerous bone tumor — at the age of 14. His diagnosis resulted in a below-the-knee amputation. After his amputation, he was put through chemotherapy to prevent cancer remission. Because of the prosthetics designed and made by Real Life Prosthetics, Matt is able to go on long mountain bike rides on weekends and after work. His prosthesis has made it possible for him to do everyday activities with his wife and two daughters, activities that people without prosthetics may take for granted.
Amy Purdy is a Paralympic snowboarder for team USA. She medaled twice, winning bronze in 2014 and silver in 2018. At 19, Purdy went under surgery for bacterial meningitis, losing both legs below her knees. Purdy has competed on the popular television show “Dancing With The Stars” to prove prosthetics are not a roadblock in the road to success. She showcases the versatility of prosthetics by using specialized prosthesis for different activities — everything from dancing to snowboarding.
So if you get a prosthesis, you will go through varying degrees of PT and training in order to master your prosthetic and be able to do everything the same way as if you didn’t have a false limb or organ. Whether its your legs, arms, teeth, or even your liver that do not function correctly, using a prosthetic requires hard work to master both the movements and the possibilities it offers.