Start with consulting with your prosthetist. They can properly assess whether your prosthesis is suitable for the sport you have in mind. An expensive sports prosthesis is really not necessary for most recreational forms of sports. Good advice and a small adjustment to your daily prosthesis – such as mounting a toeclip for cycling – is often sufficient. 

It is wise to consult physical therapist as well. Think of creating a good build-up schedule together with achievable goals and preventing injuries. 

Take good care of your residual limb and prosthesis. Exercising will put more stress on both your residual limb and your prosthesis. Inspect your residual limb often and contact your prosthetist or doctor immediately if you have any doubts or complaints. Always clean your prosthesis well after exercising and have it checked regularly. 

It's imperative to take good care of your residual limb. Not only can the proper care optimize comfort when wearing your prosthesis, it can also help prevent infections. We recommend the following: 

• Wash your residual limb daily. In cold and dry weather, wash once a day. During warmer seasons, wash more frequently. When using soap, ensure that there is no remaining soap residue by rinsing with plenty of water.  

• Avoid unnecessary products. We advise you to avoid using lotions or other skin products before putting on a socket or liner as it may cause irritation. Please consult your prosthetist for more information. 

• Wear a shrinker sock when you're not wearing your prosthesis. Shrinker socks help keep your residual limb in shape to prevent discomfort when wearing your prosthesis.  

• Check your residual limb daily for pressure sores. Redness is often a sign of pressure sores. If you notice redness or irritation persisting for a few days, please contact your prosthetist immediately. Checking for sores is crucial when wearing a prosthesis for the first time.

With the proper care and maintenance of your prosthesis, you can optimize it's comfort and durability/lifetime/longevity. For questions or care suggestions regarding specific products, we recommend speaking with your prosthetist.  

Five care tips for your prostheses:  

1. Clean your socket daily. Allow your socket to dry thoroughly before donning the prosthesis to prevent bacterial growth.

2. Clean your mliner daily. We recommend unscented soap as perfume could potentially damage the material or cause skin irritation. After cleaning, rinse the liner in lukewarm water until all soap residue is gone. Once rinsed, let the liner dry overnight.  

3. Avoid exposing the liner to heat. Prostheses are not intended to withstand higher temperatures for long durations.  

4. Avoid disassembling your prosthesis. The components are attached and assembled professionally. If something is malfunctioning or needs repair, please contact your local Ottobock.care clinic.  

5. Avoid adding too much pressure or weight to your prosthesis. Prostheses are designed to withstand the same forces as biological limbs, so there are limits to what it can endure. If you actively partake in activities that require heavy endurance, consult with your prosthetist.  

A prosthesis is fitted by making an impression of your the residual limb, using a plaster model, a digital scan, or tape measurements. The impression is then tested on your residual limb to test the compatibility and make adjustments where necessary. Once the prosthesis is ready to be worn, your prosthetist will practice handling and daily functioning with you. 

We recommend contacting your insurance provider directly as it depends on your situation and coverage. We will add benefits and inform you of any individual financial responsibility prior to providing service.

There are several different methods and systems for attaching a prosthetic leg to your residual limb. We advise getting in touch with your local Ottobock.care clinic for more information.

Learning to wear a prosthesis takes a lot of time and practice. A prosthetic limb does not transmit information to our brain the same way as we're used to receiving from our biological limb. At Ottobock.care, you can be confident that our clinicians will guide you through this journey and help support you in your learning.

Typically, prosthetic feet are designed to fit either a 3/8” or 3/4” heel height shoe. However, there are some specially designed prosthetic feet that either accommodate higher heel shoes or are adjustable by the patient. We recommend you start your training with the 3/8” or 3/4” heel height; preferably using a lace-up shoe with a rubber sole.

We do not recommend sleeping with your prosthesis on as you may experience trauma to your other leg. Hygiene also becomes a concern. 

There are some devices that are waterproof, but not all prosthetic legs can be safely worn in water. Most patients choose to use a shower chair so they can remove their prosthesis and liner to wash their residual limb in the shower.

Once you start your training with your prosthetist and/or a physical therapist, they will recommend a wearing schedule that will gradually increase. Each person progresses at a different rate depending on his or her individual condition.

The fabrication process progresses in stages. We cannot proceed to the next stage until we are satisfied with the present stage. If all goes well you can anticipate about 4 -6 weeks.

A typical below the knee prosthesis can weigh between 3 and 8 pounds depending on the componentry and structure. It is common for a new amputee to feel that any prosthesis is very heavy. Typically, the weight will get easier to bear and become more comfortable with time.

The residual limb of a new amputee is often hypersensitive. It is important to “desensitize” the limb through massage. The act of wearing your prosthesis should not be painful.

If this is the case, contact your prosthetist immediately.