r/Prosthetics

Hi everyone. My mother is 63 and was involved in a serious car accident three weeks ago. Unfortunately, the doctors were unable to save her right arm, and she had to undergo an amputation.
This is especially heartbreaking for our family because I recently had my first baby, and my mother was so incredibly excited to become a grandmother for the first time. She had been looking forward to this new chapter of her life so much. Seeing her go through this just weeks after my baby was born has been extremely difficult.
As her daughter, I’m trying to figure out how I can best support her through this incredibly difficult time. Everything is still very new, and I’m worried about both her physical recovery and how she will cope emotionally with such a huge change in her life.
For those of you who have experienced an amputation yourselves, or supported a parent or loved one through one:
● What helped you the most during the first few weeks and months?
● What should I do — and what should I avoid doing — when trying to support her?
● How can I encourage her independence without making her feel like she has to manage everything on her own?
● What helped emotionally with accepting the loss of a limb?
● Is there anything you wish your family had understood or done differently?
● How important were rehabilitation, occupational therapy and prosthetic training in helping you regain independence?
● Are there any practical things we should start thinking about now, such as adapting the home or learning one-handed techniques?
● Did speaking to other amputees or joining a support group help?
I know everyone’s experience is different, but I would really appreciate hearing from people who have been through something similar.

If I can’t get a job at a prosthetics firm, what kind of job should I get while I’m getting my masters?

Hello! This is one of my first posts on here and on the app in general so take that as you will.

I’m interested in a job in prosthetics but am uncertain in what it is I really want regarding it. I’ve looked into prosthetics laboratory technician which has sparked interest for me alongside biomedical engineering since I see myself in the more hands-on experience regarding my future job. The only reason why I’m not certain in both is because I am not the most math confident person, biology is more my thing as I got good grades for it in Highschool over how I did in math.

I’ve never failed a class, math included, but have got as low as a C and as high as an A which is quite the long range and I don’t know what colleges want regarding grades and what I’m interested in. On the topic of colleges, it’s also something I’m uncertain about as I want to stay in Illinois where I live. I’ve looked into northwestern which I’ve learned has a low acceptance rate, and me being not confident in my act score I just ditched the idea as a whole. Im lost and I wish I could talk to my school counselor about this but she doesn’t respond to my emails and gives me max 15-20 minutes to talk which isn’t enough time—in my opinion—for something like this. I know they’re busy but it’s hard since I’m doing this by myself since junior year and on here is my last resort.

As I stated before, I am more interested in the hands-on experience in prosthetics and am looking into working at a children’s hospital once I’m done with college which I haven’t started quite yet. I don’t think I can do hard things because I have had issues in the past and still do with the mentality that I really can do hard things, when I see that the job is moderate to high I immediately drop it like I did with biomedical engineering. I would like to talk to someone in the job but I have not had any chances to as I don’t know where to go or who to reach out to right now and hopefully it’s not right in front of me.

HERE’S THE RUNDOWN!
(Or if you don’t wanna read all that above)

-I want to peruse a career in prosthetics.

-I don’t know what I want to do within the branch of prosthetics (engineering, lab, etc..) due to worries in difficulty
(I don’t want to stress myself out more)

-I don’t know what college I should go to for said interest within Illinois.

If anybody reading this has advice please comment or reach out, anyone in the job or anyone who has ideas on what I can do, literally anyone right now.
Thank you!

Would it be possible (with a good surgeon) to survive a double above-the-knee amputation around 1899? Was there technology to support such procedure?

And what about potential prosthetics? I know there was much development in that department because of American Civil War, and I've looked into the work of James Gillingham. But most of the photos of his prosthetics are, I think, for the below-the-knee amputations. Unfortunately I don't know much about prosthetic mechanics or physics, but could a person with 2 above-the-knee prosthetics have any mobility? Maybe they'd have to use cruthes all of the time or other mobility aid?

My father suffer a stoke 3 months ago which hemiparesis right side of his body. He is currently going through rehabilitation OT and PT. I would like to know if the hypershell exoskeleton is suitable to help him recovery his journey.

My husband is an AK. He tore his meniscus on his sound side. He is having surgery to repair it in 2 weeks. Does anyone here have experience on how to deal post surgery? He won’t be able to put weight on his knee for some amount of time. How will he go from sit to stand, shower, use the bathroom, etc? Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

I am a below knee amputee and i have an ossur foot cover. i have so many cute pairs of flip flops that i unfortunately cant wear and its tiring having to only wear tennis shoes all of the time especially in the summer. are there any solutions for keeping flip flops on without them slipping off every couple of steps?

Hello. I am a student in product design. I’m approaching my final exam which is to design a new product. I’m planning on going into O&P after so I’m looking for any idea for a product. It can be a tool that doesn’t exist or needs improvement. If you have anything please let me know. Thank you for your time.

Hello! I'm an aspiring prosthetist, and I've wanted to enter the field since I was around 11–12. My personal favorite type of prosthesis to learn about is AK, and I'm especially interested in eventually working with pediatric patients.

I'm applying to O&P master's programs this cycle and have a few questions:

1. **GRE/UTSW**: One of the programs I'm considering is UTSW, and it is currently the only program I'm considering that requires the GRE. I haven't taken it yet and will need testing accommodations, which may take several weeks to arrange. I also have a limited amount of time remaining in my application timeline.

UTSW is the best option for me geographically, but I prefer some of the other programs I'm considering in other respects, particularly their O&P-specific education and clinical opportunities. Given that the GRE is only required for UTSW, should I be stressing about fitting the GRE into my timeline, or would it make more sense to prioritize my other applications and treat UTSW as more of a secondary option?

2. **GPA/prerequisite GPA**: How can I get a rough idea of how OPCAS will calculate my cumulative and prerequisite GPA when a large portion of my coursework was completed through a community college before I officially started university?

I will be submitting both my community college and university transcripts. My university transcript shows my transfer credits, but the transfer courses don't have grades on the university transcript, so I'm not sure how OPCAS will calculate everything.

Academically, my record is strong overall. I have mostly A's, with only a couple of B's across all my coursework. Importantly, only one of my O&P prerequisite courses was a B; all of my other prerequisite courses were A's. I'm mainly trying to figure out how the separate transcripts and transfer coursework will affect the calculated GPA.

3. **Shadowing**: I have 300+ hours of O&P observation experience across two clinics, but both experiences are now a couple of years old. Medical circumstances prevented me from continuing shadowing afterward.

How would you recommend explaining this in an application without oversharing medical information? Would older shadowing experience still be viewed positively?

4. **Recommendations**: I completed extensive college coursework through dual credit before officially starting university, so I've only been enrolled at my current university for a relatively short time despite being close to graduation. This has made it harder to establish long-term relationships with university professors.

I have recommendations available from people I've worked with in other academic/professional settings, and I've already had one clinician I previously shadowed agree to write a recommendation. I'm also working on obtaining additional recommendations from professors, teachers, and other academic mentors.

How much of a concern would having fewer established relationships with current university professors be?

5. **Applying younger than typical**: I'm applying to O&P programs somewhat younger than I understand many applicants do. Does applying at a younger age stand out to admissions committees, either positively or negatively? Are there any advantages or disadvantages to being younger when applying, assuming the applicant is academically and otherwise prepared for graduate school?

I'm also wondering whether this affects how admissions committees view high-school activities. Some of my high-school competitions and extracurriculars occurred relatively recently compared with someone applying several years after high school. Does that make them more relevant, or are high-school activities generally considered too old regardless of the applicant's age?

Does participating in something at an unusually young age add any meaningful value, or is it better to focus almost entirely on college experiences?

For some additional context, I completed extensive dual-credit coursework before officially starting university, including enough coursework to earn associate degrees. My major is exercise science and my minor is clinical psychology.

I've participated in activities including HOSA (medical based competitions/events) and dance, among others. I also had an internship relatively early in my education that played a significant role in sparking my interest in prosthetics. Is something like that worth mentioning on an application even though it happened quite a while ago, particularly given that it directly contributed to my interest in O&P?

Finally, I'm trying to decide how heavily to weigh location versus program fit. UTSW is particularly convenient for me geographically, but some of the other programs I'm considering seem stronger for me in terms of O&P-specific education and clinical experience. For those who have applied to multiple O&P programs, how much weight would you give location/logistics versus the specific strengths and environment of a program? Is one program particularly more impressive to future employers than others?

I'm mainly looking for advice on how to present these circumstances effectively and what I should prioritize before applications are submitted. Thanks!

Following from my post last week about seeing a new surgeon regarding elective amputation someone suggested making a list of all points I want to get out there in the consultation. I’ve done that, and it’s super long. Can anyone see how to condense this down with the key points still being addressed? If anyone has time to read the below I am very grateful as it’s suuuuuuuper long. I wrote out all my thoughts and then got co-pilot to put it into bullet points:

Elective Below-Knee Amputation Consultation Checklist
My Goal
Leave the consultation knowing I have fully explained my situation, my goals and my reasoning, and that I have had the opportunity to ask all of my questions.
⸻
1. Opening
☐ Explain I felt overwhelmed during my previous consultation with my previous consultant and don’t think I communicated my thoughts clearly.
☐ Explain I appreciate they have only just met me and I want them to understand me as a person, not simply what is written in my medical notes.
☐ Explain I am not asking you to make a decision today. I simply want you to understand why I have reached this point and why I believe amputation remains an option that should continue to be considered.
⸻
2. My Medical Journey
☐ Explain how my symptoms started following my TBI.
☐ Rapid progression over approximately six months.
☐ Severe chronic pain.
☐ Foot drop.
☐ Dystonia/spasticity.
☐ Loss of useful ankle function.
☐ Diagnosis delay.
☐ Approximately 3½ years since onset.
☐ Condition has remained largely static for around three years.
☐ I do not believe meaningful spontaneous recovery is realistic now.
⸻
3. My Pain
☐ Burning.
☐ Tingling.
☐ Cramping.
☐ Deep itching.
☐ Hypersensitivity.
☐ Baseline around 7/10.
☐ Multiple 10/10 pain attacks every day.
☐ Triggered by:
Warm water.
Socks.
Bedsheets.
☐ Also occurs randomly without any obvious trigger.
⸻
4. What Daily Life Looks Like
☐ Mostly wheelchair dependent.
☐ Walking aids.
☐ Cannot trust my foot.
☐ Constantly planning around pain.
☐ Unable to walk normally.
☐ My foot contributes almost no useful function.
☐ My quality of life has been significantly altered.
☐ Every day revolves around managing my symptoms rather than simply living my life.
⸻
5. Everything I’ve Tried
☐ Physiotherapy.
☐ Rehabilitation.
☐ Flint House.
☐ Hydrotherapy.
☐ Desensitisation.
☐ Weight-bearing programme.
☐ Orthotics.
☐ £5,000 weight-offloading AFO.
☐ Continued exercising throughout.
☐ Fully engaged with every treatment offered.
☐ I have never stopped trying to improve my situation.
☐ Extensive private neurological physiotherapy through two separate specialist neuro physiotherapy clinics in Stourbridge.
☐ Continued engaging with rehabilitation over several years rather than relying on a single course of treatment.
☐ Sought both NHS and private rehabilitation in an attempt to maximise recovery.
⸻
6. The Proposed Nerve Release
☐ Explain I understand why superficial peroneal nerve release has been recommended.
☐ Explain I am not refusing the surgery.
☐ Explain I would welcome any meaningful reduction in pain.
☐ Explain my concern is that I do not believe it will restore meaningful ankle function or resolve the dystonia.
☐ Explain my priority is function rather than simply pain relief.
☐ Explain that even if my pain improves, I am likely to remain reliant on a rigid AFO because of the persistent foot drop and lack of ankle function.
☐ Explain that a rigid AFO provides stability but immobilises the ankle.
☐ Explain that a rigid AFO cannot replicate:
Ankle movement.
Push-off.
Adaptability on uneven ground.
Dynamic walking.
Natural gait.
☐ Explain that a prosthesis has the potential to provide greater functional mobility than my current foot and rigid AFO.
☐ Explain that my concern isn’t simply whether pain can be reduced, but whether the treatment is likely to move me meaningfully closer to my long-term goals of mobility, independence and returning to a more active life.
☐ Explain my concern that dystonia may eventually recreate nerve irritation even if decompression initially helps.
⸻
7. Why Function Matters
☐ Pain relief is not my primary goal.
☐ My current foot is:
Painful.
Dystonic.
Weak.
Unpredictable.
Functionally very limited.
☐ My current foot has become a barrier to function rather than a contributor to function.
☐ Explain I am not trying to remove a healthy limb.
☐ Explain I am trying to replace a limb that currently provides almost no useful function with one that may provide greater function.
⸻
8. What I’ve Lost
☐ outdoorsy career
☐ Running.
☐ Representing Great Britain in track and field
☐ Independence.
☐ Identity.
☐ Career ambitions.
☐ Confidence.
☐ The future I had imagined for myself.
⸻
9. What I’ve Done Instead
☐ Adaptive CrossFit.
☐ Wheelchair basketball
☐ Continued strength training.
☐ Maintained my physical fitness.
☐ Maintained my mental resilience.
☐ Continued investing in my health despite chronic pain and disability.
⸻
10. My Long-Term Goals
☐ Independence.
☐ Better mobility.
☐ Less reliance on my wheelchair.
☐ Better quality of life.
☐ Return to a practical outdoorsy job if physically possible.
☐ Return to running if rehabilitation allows.
☐ Continue competing in adaptive sport.
☐ Be able to keep up with my future children.
☐ Remain physically independent for as much of my life as possible.
☐ Live a far more active and fulfilling life.
⸻
11. Why I’ve Reached This Point
☐ This has taken years of thought.
☐ It is not impulsive.
☐ It is not emotional.
☐ It is not a recent idea.
☐ I have carefully considered every option.
☐ I have thought extensively about both the risks and the potential benefits.
☐ I have reached this position after years of living with my current level of pain and disability.
⸻
12. I Understand the Risks
☐ Phantom pain.
☐ Residual limb pain.
☐ Worse pain.
☐ Prosthetic intolerance.
☐ Rehabilitation failure.
☐ Increased disability.
☐ Never walking successfully with a prosthesis.
☐ Losing the little function I currently retain.
☐ Through the wheelchair basketball community I have met many amputees, including several who underwent elective amputations.
☐ Those conversations have given me a realistic understanding of the wide range of challenges that can continue for many years after amputation, including:
Phantom pain.
Residual limb pain.
Socket issues.
Skin problems.
Fluctuations in limb volume.
Prosthetic maintenance.
Replacement of prosthetic components.
The lifelong commitment required for rehabilitation.
☐ I have also seen that rehabilitation is rarely straightforward. Even those with excellent outcomes continue to face ongoing challenges and adaptations.
☐ Seeing both the positive outcomes and the long-term difficulties has reinforced that I am not viewing amputation as an easy option or a cure.
☐ Despite understanding these lifelong challenges, I still believe that, for me, amputation offers the greatest possibility of regaining meaningful function, independence and quality of life.
☐ I accept every one of those risks.
⸻
13. Why I Still Believe It’s Worth Considering
☐ Without amputation I do not realistically see a path back to meaningful function.
☐ With amputation there is at least the possibility of improvement.
☐ I understand there are no guarantees.
☐ I accept it is a gamble.
☐ I believe it is the option that offers the greatest possibility of rebuilding my life, even if that possibility cannot be guaranteed.
⸻
14. Why I Believe I’m a Good Rehabilitation Candidate
☐ I am in my mid 30s
☐ Former firefighter.
☐ Former GB athlete.
☐ Still physically active.
☐ Adaptive CrossFit.
☐ Wheelchair basketball.
☐ Strong work ethic.
☐ Proven determination.
☐ Used to difficult rehabilitation.
☐ Highly motivated.
☐ I do not smoke.
☐ I do not drink alcohol.
☐ I maintain excellent cardiovascular fitness and overall physical health despite my disability.
☐ I believe these factors place me in the strongest position possible to undertake intensive prosthetic rehabilitation.
⸻
15. Why I Would Like My Case Considered Individually
☐ Explain that I understand clinicians use published evidence and outcome statistics to guide decision-making.
☐ Explain that I appreciate why evidence relating to patients with complex neurological conditions is relevant to the discussion.
☐ Explain that I would like my own case to be assessed on its individual merits rather than assuming my likely outcome is the same as the average patient included in published studies.
☐ Explain that my neurological symptoms developed following my TBI and have remained remarkably localised to my left lower limb for over three and a half years.
☐ Explain that my presentation consists predominantly of weakness, foot drop, dystonia/spasticity, loss of useful ankle function and severe chronic pain affecting my left lower limb.
☐ Explain that my symptoms have remained consistently confined predominantly to a single limb since onset rather than developing into a broader or more widespread neurological presentation.
☐ Explain that my symptoms have remained largely static for around three years rather than showing significant fluctuation or progressive spread.
☐ Explain that I have consistently demonstrated resilience and commitment throughout my rehabilitation.
☐ Explain that I have remained physically active through adaptive CrossFit and wheelchair basketball despite chronic pain and disability.
☐ Explain that I am not asking for guarantees or asking for published evidence to be ignored.
☐ Explain that I am simply asking that my own neurological presentation, TBI, goals, physical condition, motivation and rehabilitation potential are considered alongside the available evidence when decisions are made.
☐ Explain that I hope any recommendation is based on my individual circumstances rather than a diagnostic label alone.
☐ I have undergone extensive NHS and private neurological rehabilitation.
☐ Following prolonged rehabilitation, I have reached a point where there do not currently appear to be further rehabilitation strategies available that I have not already undertaken or continue to implement independently.
☐ I have continued to engage with rehabilitation over several years and have consistently attempted to maximise my recovery.
☐ Despite this extensive rehabilitation, my left lower-limb symptoms have remained largely unchanged for approximately three years.
☐ I would therefore like the chronicity, stability and highly localised nature of my neurological impairment following my TBI to be considered when assessing my individual circumstances and rehabilitation potential.
⸻
16. Prosthetic Research
☐ Currently under Dorset Orthopedic Prosthetics & Orthotics.
☐ Face-to-face consultation with the prosthetist from there.
☐ Previously sought advice from Chris Parsons at Design Prosthetics.
☐ Discussed realistic rehabilitation expectations.
☐ Discussed rehabilitation pathway.
☐ Discussed NHS prosthetic provision.
☐ Discussed activity level 4 prosthetic feet.
☐ Discussed running blades.
☐ Discussed private microprocessor ankles once limb volume has stabilised.
☐ Understand prosthetic rehabilitation would take years.
☐ Both prosthetists felt that, should I ultimately undergo amputation, my age, physical conditioning, motivation and rehabilitation goals gave me the characteristics of someone with strong rehabilitation potential.
☐ My expectations are based on professional advice rather than internet research.
⸻
17. Financial Preparation
☐ Able to privately fund advanced prosthetic technology if appropriate.
☐ Understand long-term maintenance and replacement costs.
☐ I have considered the long-term financial commitment that prosthetic rehabilitation may involve.
⸻
18. Body Image & Psychology
☐ I have already had to adapt psychologically to major changes in my body and physical function.
☐ I have adapted to becoming a wheelchair user.
☐ I have adapted to significant changes in my mobility, independence and the way I participate in everyday life.
☐ I believe I have demonstrated an ability to adjust psychologically to substantial and permanent changes in my circumstances.
☐ I believe I could adapt psychologically to limb loss.
⸻
19. Rehabilitation
☐ I know amputation is not a quick fix.
☐ I understand rehabilitation would take years.
☐ I am fully committed.
☐ I would dedicate myself completely to rehabilitation.
☐ I understand that successful rehabilitation would require ongoing effort for the rest of my life.
⸻
20. Why I Feel This Decision Is Time Sensitive
☐ I have now lived with this condition for over three and a half years.
☐ My symptoms have remained largely unchanged for around three years.
☐ I believe I have now given sufficient time for recovery and conservative treatment.
☐ I worry that continuing to pursue interventions that may reduce pain but are unlikely to restore meaningful function could delay rehabilitation unnecessarily.
☐ If amputation is ultimately the treatment I undergo, I would rather begin that rehabilitation while I am still young, fit and highly motivated than several years from now.
⸻
21. Why Timing Matters
☐ I am still young.
☐ Physically fit.
☐ Highly motivated.
☐ I believe I am currently in the strongest position I am likely to be to undertake prosthetic rehabilitation.
☐ My wife and I want to start a family.
☐ One of my biggest fears is spending the next five years pursuing treatments that ultimately do not restore meaningful function, only to arrive at the same decision about amputation when I am older.
☐ If that happened, I would be beginning rehabilitation five years later while also becoming a new father.
☐ I want to be as active, independent and physically capable as possible before we have children so that I can fully participate in family life.
☐ I want to give myself the best possible opportunity to be the father I hope to be.
☐ This is not simply about impatience it is about making the most of the years in which I am physically and mentally best placed to rehabilitate.
⸻
22. My Career
☐ I do not expect anyone to guarantee I can return to the emergency services.
☐ I simply want the greatest opportunity to maximise my potential.
☐ Regaining function gives me the best possible chance.
⸻
23. Why This Isn’t Just About Pain
☐ Pain relief would obviously be welcome.
☐ Pain is not my primary reason for asking about amputation.
☐ My priorities are:
Function.
Independence.
Mobility.
Quality of life.
⸻
24. Why This Isn’t Giving Up
☐ I am not asking for amputation because I have lost hope.
☐ I am asking because I am trying to maximise my future.
☐ I have continued exercising and competing despite everything.
☐ I continue to invest significant time, effort and money into my rehabilitation.
☐ My request comes from wanting the greatest possible opportunity to rebuild my life rather than accepting defeat.
⸻
25. Why I Have Confidence in My Ability to Adapt
☐ I have already adapted to becoming a wheelchair user.
☐ I have adapted to a major and lasting change in my physical function and independence.
☐ I have adapted to a completely different way of participating in sport.
☐ I have rebuilt an active life around significant physical limitations rather than withdrawing from the things that matter to me.
☐ Throughout the major changes I have experienced, I have remained resilient and continued to find ways to move forward.
☐ These experiences give me confidence that, while amputation would undoubtedly involve significant physical and psychological adjustment, I have the resilience and adaptability required to undertake that process.
⸻
26. What I Want the Surgeon to Understand
☐ I have realistic expectations.
☐ I know amputation could make me worse.
☐ I know I may never use a prosthesis successfully.
☐ I accept uncertainty.
☐ I am looking for the best chance of improving my life, not certainty.
⸻
27. My Request
☐ Please assess me as an individual.
☐ Consider my motivation.
☐ Consider my fitness.
☐ Consider my rehabilitation potential.
☐ Consider my goals.
☐ Consider my mindset.
☐ Consider my lived experience.
☐ Keep an open mind if future treatment does not achieve meaningful functional improvement.
⸻
The Four Things I Want You to Remember About Me
✅ I have exhausted conservative treatment.
✅ I am seeking function and independence not simply pain relief.
✅ I have thoroughly researched the rehabilitation pathway, understand the risks, and have realistic expectations.
✅ I am highly motivated, physically fit, and fully committed to whatever rehabilitation is required if amputation is ever considered appropriate.
⸻
Above All
If there is one message I hope you take away from this consultation, it is this:
☐ I am not asking you to ignore the evidence.
☐ I am not asking for guarantees.
☐ I am not asking for an easy option.
☐ I am asking for my case to be considered as an individual.
☐ I am asking that my goals, my resilience, my physical condition, my understanding of the risks and my commitment to rehabilitation are considered alongside the available evidence.
☐ I simply want the greatest possible opportunity to regain meaningful function, independence and quality of life.

Hello everyone! We are currently developing a cost-effective pair of sandals that can evaluate your gait parameters after you take a walk on it. We want to hear out suggestions from a large pool of healthcare professionals about the features that can be placed in the sandals so that it is easier to come up with a rehabilitation program for the patients, and genuinely beneficial and easy to use for both the doctors and the patients.

Our target customers are geriatric patients, stroke patients, physiotherapy rehabilitation patients, and people with parkinson's. Any suggestions would be good. Thank you for your time!

P.S: Not selling anything, just trying to build something actually useful rather than something that looks impressive on paper