How do you care for a stump amputation?
Elevate the stump for the first 24 to 48 hours. Move and turn the patient gently and slowly to prevent severe muscle spasms. Reposition the patient every 2 hours, turning the patient from side to side and prone, if possible. Lying prone helps reduce hip flexion contractures.
How do you care for residual limbs after amputation?
Do the following every day:
- Wash your residual limb at least once a day. Use clean, running water and a mild antibacterial soap.
- Using a washcloth, scrub gently over all surfaces of the residual limb.
- Dry your residual limb thoroughly.
- Wear a clean shrinker sock every day.
What should you monitor after amputation?
Check your remaining limb daily for irritation, skin breaks, and redness. Tell your doctor about any problems you see. Wash your remaining limb with mild soap and warm water every night.
What happens after above knee amputation?
Your doctor removed the leg while keeping as much healthy bone, skin, blood vessel, and nerve tissue as possible. After the surgery, you will probably have bandages, a rigid dressing, or a cast over the remaining part of your leg (residual limb). The leg may be swollen for at least 4 weeks after your surgery.
How do you care for an above the knee amputation?
Activity guidelines:
- Change your position often while you are resting in bed.
- While you are in bed, keep your residual limb raised on one to two pillows for the first 24 hours after surgery.
- After the first day, keep your residual limb flat on the bed to prevent your hip from tightening.
- Lie on your stomach twice a day.
How do you take care of prosthetics?
Prosthetic Comfort and Care
- Remove the prosthesis before going to bed.
- Clean and put a small amount of lotion on the stump and massage the skin.
- Place a bandage on the stump to decrease swelling when you are not wearing the prosthesis.
- Regularly inspect the skin of the stump to look for sores or wounds.
How do you clean an amputated limb?
Use soap and water on a gauze pad or a clean cloth to wash your wound. Start at one end of the wound and clean it to the other end. Be sure to wash away any drainage or dried blood. Do not scrub the wound hard.
How do you care for an above knee amputation?
What is the most serious immediate complication following an amputation?
Complications associated with having an amputation include: heart problems such as heart attack. deep vein thrombosis (DVT) slow wound healing and wound infection.
How do you clean an amputated wound?
How long does above knee amputation take to heal?
It will take 1 to 2 months for the remaining limb to heal. Physical activity will be limited during recovery. You may need to ask for help with daily activities and delay return to work. You will need to learn new ways to do daily tasks.
How do you clean a prosthetic liner?
Washing your prosthetic liners
- Remove the liner from your residual limb and turn it inside out.
- With warm water, rinse off any debris that may have collected while you’re wearing it.
- Use a drop or two of soap and apply it thoroughly.
- Run warm water over it and rinse well until there is no soap residue left.