Are you facing a transfemoral (above knee) amputation? This is a surgical procedure to remove the lower limb at or above the knee joint when that limb has been severely damaged via trauma, disease, or congenital defect. 

After surgery, there will be many choices to make. Considering this information ahead of time can make the journey a little easier.  

Things to Think About

Following an amputation, you should expect swelling for at least four weeks and regular appointments for your doctor to change dressing.  

You may experience pain in your residual limb, or feeling where your limb was. This is called phantom pain. It can come and go for a year or longer. Talk to your physician about medications available for both types of pain.   

Rehabilitation and exercise is a vital step in recovery. You may even start some mild activity while still in the hospital, such as lying on your stomach to prevent tightness in the hips. A rehab facility will provide the guidance needed to recondition your muscles as you relearn balance, coordination, and other activities. Rehab may be needed for a year or longer depending on your unique circumstances.

If you have chosen to be fitted for a prosthesis, your physician will help teach you how to care for your device. It is important to get used to and practice wearing your prosthetic device before returning to work and other activities. You should also become familiar with operating a wheelchair, crutches, or other devices for times you are not wearing your prosthesis. Consider any adjustments needed at home, in the car, and at work to accommodate these devices and make your mobility easier. 

Self-care and emotional support play a large role in your rehabilitation. Having your leg amputated is traumatic. It is normal to experience frustration as you learn to live with new limitations. You may experience grief and depression. It is important to understand these feelings and to talk about it with family, friends, and health professionals. Check local support groups to connect with others who can relate to the changes you are experiencing.  

After Your Amputation:

-      Talk to your doctor about your physical activity. Using your remaining limb can help it heal faster.  

-      When your doctor says it is okay to shower, wash your remaining limb with mild soap and pat it dry. You may need help with this at first. 

-      Consider adaptations to your home or car to fit your particular situation.

-      Return to work and usual routine when your remaining limb has healed (usually 4-8 weeks, but may take longer).

-      It is common not to have regular bowel movements after surgery. Try to avoid constipation and straining by eating foods high in fiber. Consult your physician if you have not had a bowel movement in a few days.  

-      Talk to your doctor before you restart any medications. They will also go over any new medications needed. Be sure to follow all directions and only take medications as prescribed by your physician. 

-      Caring for your remaining limb will depend on your particular dressing and your doctor’s instructions. Check daily for irritation, skin breaks, and redness.

-      Remember to remove your prosthesis before you go to sleep. Tell your doctor about any problems you may experience.

Every recovery is unique. Having an amputation is a big change, and there are tools and help in place to make living life to the fullest possible for you.  

Let BioTech help answer questions about prosthetics and assist you with a pre-amputation consultation. Contact us today for more information.

Becoming an amputee can have a drastic impact on one's life. It requires change, motivation, and the willingness to adapt. If you have recently undergone an amputation or if you are looking to learn more about life with a prosthesis, keep reading to find out the 5 things amputees wish they had known. 

#1: Having Confidence Goes a Long Way

You may be struggling with the fear of others’ opinions, but it’s important to be confident. Any lack of confidence can cause one to succumb to their fears. Instead, try to remain positive and embrace your amputation. Confidence goes a long way, but always remember that it does not happen overnight. Take time to embrace this new way of life and be easy on yourself in the meantime. 

#2: People Stare Because They Are Curious

It may feel like people stare at you because you look different and they’re secretly casting judgement, but be assured that most people stare because they are simply curious. Many people have questions but might be too scared or embarrassed to ask. Try to remember that a prosthesis is not the norm, and many people have not seen them before. 

#3: Choosing a Supportive Prosthetist Matters

Finding a nice prosthetist is only half of the solution. You need to choose a prosthetist who will listen and try to enhance your experience with a prosthetic. Some prosthetists can be resistant to change and new technologies. Make sure your voice is heard, so you can choose a supportive prosthetist who truly cares. 

#4: You Don’t Have to Be Athletic to Be Active

Getting active can be as simple as dancing in your living room or as extreme as running a half marathon. Any activity that gets your blood flowing is going to improve your quality of life and overall well-being. 

#5: Always Carry Extra Supplies

Nothing feels worse than being unprepared when you’re out doing something. Carrying extra socks, wipes, and lotions can be life-savers when you’re out and need a little pick-me-up. Sometimes all you need to do is remove your limb, and put it back on. Keeping a wrench on hand may be useful if anything decides to come loose. 

The road to recovery is filled with obstacles, but it is not impossible. During this time, try to remain active and think positively. Your journey has not come to a halt—it has only begun. 

Looking for a prosthetist who wants to enhance your experience with a prosthesis? Contact BioTech today.

Meet Jessica Cox, a natural risk-taker and the first woman to fly an airplane with her feet. Filipino-American Jessica Cox was born without arms due to a rare birth defect, but this hasn’t stopped her from learning to live an extraordinary life. 

A Shocking Discovery 

Jessica was born on February 2, 1983. Jessica’s parents were shocked and stunned when they found out that their baby was born without arms. Despite having normal pregnancy exams, Jessica was delivered with a birth defect that doctors couldn’t explain. 

With the unexpected news Jessica’s mother, Inez, had a tough time accepting reality and became anxious about the future that lay ahead for her daughter. 

A Fearless Child

Despite her mother’s anxiety, Jessica was enrolled into a regular public school, rather than a private or special needs school. Her parents had a strong desire to integrate her into a regular environment as much as possible. Jessica embraced this mindset and never saw herself as different from the other children. 

However, during recess, some people would act overprotective and try to prevent Jessica from climbing up the slide. This caused Jessica to feel hurt and frustrated, and often she’d find herself swinging and daydreaming of flying.

Disarming Limits

Jessica never let her fears stop her from following her dreams. This was the exact reason why one day, after 11 years, she decided to stop wearing her prosthetic arms. Though she knew children might make fun of her, she felt a connection to her feet and promised herself she would never wear a prosthesis again. 

Little did she know that these feet would carry her through college and across a stage to become a professional motivational speaker. 

From the obstacles she has overcome, Jessica became an inspiration to many, and a natural source of encouragement. 

Still, Jessica dreamed of one day taking to the skies and piloting her own plane. After three years of arduous training, Jessica became a certified pilot and the first woman to fly a plane with her feet. 

The Sky's the Limit

Jessica Cox’s story is just further proof that no matter your limitations, you can accomplish anything you dream. She continues to travel the world motivating and inspiring people around her with her speeches, and challenging others to achieve their impossible dreams. 

Always remember that before you can achieve anything, you must first believe that it’s possible. 

The future is extremely bright at BioTech Limb and Brace. Contact us today and discover endless possibilities.

Prosthetic technology has made amazing strides in the last decade, and is only gaining speed. Hollywood has long been imagining versions of robotic body parts with incredible capabilities for a while now, and while human engineering can’t yet make these devices, prosthetics are getting smarter and more adaptive all the time.

The Goal

The goal in the industry, specifically with artificial intelligence, is to create intuitive limbs—human-machine interfaces embodied by a prosthetic device, that feel like a true extension of the body. A device that can decode the intuitive natural intention of the wearer would result in the most natural feeling prosthetic possible. AI is getting closer and closer to allowing the prosthetic user to reclaim total control over their movements.

For example, if the wearer of the device thinks about making a specific hand gesture, these new systems can interpret the signals coming from their body and turn them into electrical commands that actually make it happen. The idea is to create a prosthetic device that can figure out what the user’s muscles are saying and what they’re trying to do when they move and contract in certain ways.

Measuring Success

When it comes to accuracy in the world of artificial intelligence, engineers are looking for how well AI works with a static data set. Even today’s most advanced systems aren’t immediately successful. The AI prosthesis has to learn its wearer, as the wearer learns how to work with the prosthesis—which proves how smart these systems are. The wearer and their prosthesis co-learn each other and continue to work better together to make for a more natural extension of the wearer’s body.

The Future of Prosthetics

The nonprofit Amputee Coalition estimates that there are about 2 million amputees in the United States alone, and that number is expected to nearly double by the year 2050. Some 185,000 new lower-limb amputations occur each year. The driving forces behind the demand for this technology are aging populations, rising incidence of vascular diseases, as well as developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Despite their booming potential, smart prosthetics are still a long way from becoming a common reality for people. This is due in large part to the relatively small population, the high costs, and the lack of reimbursement. Getting the technology transitioned out of the lab and into a company that will seek FDA approval is another hurdle.

Overall, the industry is exploding, and its future is extremely bright. For all the latest news in prosthetics, contact BioTech today.

BioTech has been a leader in the prosthetic and orthotic industry for almost twenty years. With a team of highly trained and passionate staff, we’ve made incredible technological strides for our patients and for the field.

Technology

Our BioTech BioSystem was created from years of trying to build better systems for the human body. We deliver a superior experience for our patients by increasing their range of motion, eliminating chafing, and making each prosthesis feel lighter.

Our goal is to make your system feel more like an actual limb, and through that goal we provide enhanced comfort that is second to none in the industry.

Orthotics

Orthotics is the art and science of designing, fabricating, and fitting orthopedic braces. Orthoses protect, support, and improve the function of various parts of the body. These kinds of devices may be needed because of birth deficiencies like spina bifida, cerebral palsy, or brittle-bone disease, or as a result of accidents that have impaired function.

Our braces are constructed right here in Birmingham and are meant to correct or maintain the alignment of different parts of the body for maximum efficiency and comfort. They can be made of metal, leather, foam, or plastics, including high-tech composites. With a custom orthosis, we can apply the appropriate biomechanics to the affected anatomy through careful molding, measuring, and modification techniques to provide the highest quality and function for each patient.

Prosthetics

Prosthetics refers to the design, fabrication, and fitting of custom-made artificial limbs or other types of assistive devices for patients who have lost limbs. These devices will restore—as completely as possible—the function and appearance of a fully or partially missing limb.

Because of the vast differences in human anatomy, the fabrication of these devices is an extremely intricate, custom procedure that requires a high degree of skill and sophisticated technology that BioTech specializes in. Our end goal is to develop a limb that fits perfectly and gives you the highest level of comfort and convenience.

BioTech’s care goes far beyond the delivery of your new prosthesis. To ensure the most successful use of your prosthesis, our clinical staff will follow your progress and make sure you’re comfortable. We are always available to answer any and all questions you may have about your device, how to use it effectively, and the overall healing process.

Carbon Technology

To deliver the best results for our patients, BioTech evolves with the current technology—we are always trying to capitalize on new innovations in the field. The latest? Carbon technology. This innovation uses pre-impregnated carbon fiber in the fabrication of prosthetic and orthotic devices alike, and holds significant advantages like reduced weight, enhanced flexibility, increased durability, and increased strength.

We can now deliver prosthetics and orthotics in Birmingham, Alabama that are half the weight on average of devices created with traditional processes. These high-tech solutions are also stronger, more durable, and more flexible than traditional devices, so they can serve you better for longer.

At BioTech, we believe that everything we do should reflect our regard for our patients. From the people we hire to the facility we’ve built, we remain focused on our patients’ care, comfort, and treatment.

To learn more about us, our level of service, and the cutting edge technology we provide, contact BioTech today.

Prosthetic sleeves and liners are essential tools if you use a prosthetic device. They’re easy to apply, provide great suspension, and, if they fit well, will make your prosthetic device feel light and comfortable.

Without proper maintenance, your prosthetic liners and sleeves can become brittle and start to crack. Also, they start to smell if not cleaned properly and regularly, and will eventually fall apart. Here are some essential tips to maintaining your prosthetic tools!

Avoid Animal-Based Skin Care Products

Any products containing animal fats, animal oils, or hydrocarbon oils will eventually break down your gel liners and prosthetic sleeves. Check your soaps, creams, lotions, sunscreens, and any other skin care product you use on your body—and find replacements if you find that they’re animal-based.

Socket Fit

Air pockets or general looseness inside your liner will result in gel delamination. When your liner moves around more than usual, it will eventually break down. You’ll notice discoloration on the outside fabric, and eventually the inside gel will begin to thin out and tear.

Looseness affects prosthetic liners even more when you use a locking system, because excess movement near the bottom of the pin will make the umbrella (device that holds the pin) fall off from the liner.

Cleaning

The purpose of a good cleanser is to remove sweat and grime, with no extra chemicals or ingredients that could irritate your skin. Make sure you get a pH balanced cleanser to avoid irritation. Anything gentle, like a small amount of baby shampoo, can get the job done. When you go to clean your liners, use your hands and wash the gel and fabric until it lathers. When rinsing, make sure no residue is left behind. Avoid scrubbing too hard, because this could damage your liners over time.

Prosthetic Wipes

These are great for keeping your prosthetic device clean on the go! They remove dead skin and prevent dirt and grime from accumulating. They will also keep your prosthetic from smelling! Make sure you find wipes that are pH balanced and alcohol-free so your skin won’t dry out. Avoid anything with bleach—instead, opt for wipes with tea tree oil.

Use a Drying Stand

Whether it’s professionally made or a DIY project, you should be using a drying stand to keep your liners sturdy and shaped correctly. Without them, they can get distorted or misshapen.

Avoid Heat

Being exposed to high temperatures can actually melt the gel in your liners, so avoid heat at all costs!

Making sure these things are taken care of doesn’t take much time but will go a long way in making sure your prosthetic device lasts and serves you longer!

For more advice, information, and support, contact Biotech today!

Losing a limb is a big life adjustment, as is learning to live life with a prosthetic device. It can feel daunting at first, but soon you’ll return to most, if not all, of your normal activities! One hurdle in losing a leg is learning to run with your lower limb prosthesis. It’s an ongoing process, but we have some tips and things to keep in mind to get you started.

Energy Expenditure

Something important to think about while starting to run again with your prosthesis, is energy expenditure. Energy-wise, the cost of running on a prosthetic device is much greater than it is when running with two legs. Endurance exercise will be crucial in your process as you get used to running again. Also keep in mind that there are running specific prostheses! Using one of these as opposed to an everyday walking prosthesis will greatly reduce your energy cost, and you’ll be able to do more.

Asymmetry

Asymmetry is a very common problem in running, and essentially refers to an asymmetrical loading of the limbs. This means that more weight, and essentially more trust, is placed in the sound limb for various reasons. A lack of trust in your prosthesis, discomfort, or lack of strength in your residual limb can all contribute to asymmetry in your running. When more time and weight is spent on the sound limb, it’s subjected to extra force, and this can result in injury.

Wearing Schedule

While there’s a set schedule for wearing your prosthetic device when relearning how to walk, there isn’t one for relearning how to run. The basic rule of thumb is to start slowly, and pay close attention to your body. In the first week or so of running, be extra aware of your socket fit and make note of any discomfort you notice. If something feels off, talk to your prosthetist.

Once you start running with your prosthesis, take it a little bit at a time. At the beginning, don’t run more than 10 minutes without stopping. Stop to rest and to see if any red spots are appearing on your residual limb. Make sure you’re aware of anything that could be rubbing or irritating your skin.

Also keep in mind how long ago your amputation was—if your amputation was years ago, you may immediately be able to tolerate the weight put on you residual limb. If your amputation was more recent, it’ll take some time to adjust. Remember that too much too soon can easily result in injuries, which will only hold you back further. Running is something to ease yourself into—don’t push yourself too hard, and give yourself plenty of time to rest.

Running Examples

One of the most beneficial things you can do as you start incorporating running back into your life is watch videos of people running with their prostheses. There are plenty of video examples out there showing the form you should strive toward, as well as bad examples of common problems people experience while transitioning to this kind of running. The key to progress is self-awareness! Have a friend of family member take a video of you running, so you can better analyze your own form compared to examples you’ve researched.

Forefoot Strike Running with a Prosthesis

Forefoot strike running is a specific form of running with a prosthetic device and could be helpful to try. In this form, the runner lands on the ball of their foot instead of letting their heel have initial contact with the ground or treadmill. If you’ve looked at running prostheses, you’ll notice that there is no heel, so on that “foot,” it would be like running on your tiptoes.

The idea with this running form is to adjust your sound limb to run like your prosthetic device to reduce asymmetry. If you’re tiptoe running on your prosthetic leg, and running “normally” (heel then toe) on your other leg, this can result in serious form errors and even injury. If you’ve had both legs amputated, this isn’t something you need to practice—both your prostheses will automatically land in this position.

Forefront strike running places different demands on the muscles in your calf and foot, so you’ll need to focus on strengthening those muscles before you completely transition. It will be a slow transition, but be patient—it will help you avoid serious injuries that could keep you from running altogether! Also be aware that, if you’ve had ankle problems in the past, this form of running may not be for you.

Talk to your physical therapist about specific training regimens for you! Everyone is different, and everyone will transition at their own pace—be patient, listen to your body and your physical therapist, and you’ll be running again in no time!

For more information, tips, and support, contact Biotech today!

Rehabilitation after an amputation can feel daunting, but it’s absolutely crucial to adapting to life without a limb. Here’s everything you need to expect immediately following your surgery and onward.

Meet Your Team

Your successful rehabilitation depends on the combined efforts of many people—you aren’t alone. Ideally, you’ll have a large team behind you. This team will include key family members, friends, your physician, your prosthetist and their support staff, your physical therapist, your occupational therapist, and your psychologist. The exact size of your team will depend on your personal preferences, your finances, and many other things.

While the outcome is mainly up to you and your effort, the expertise and guidance of each person on your support time is crucial.

Early Stages

Ideally, you’ll see your physical therapist within the first 24 hours following your surgery. This may seem quick, but you’ve just had a major life change, and you’ll need help doing basic things at the beginning. Your therapist will help you get positioned in bed, move from the bed to your wheelchair and back, balance while standing, use crutches, use your wheelchair, or use your new upper extremity assistive device.

A big part of this early start is pain management. Your physical therapist will teach you how to promote healthy healing in your residual limb and how to wrap it up to reduce swelling. While in the hospital, and long after your release, your physical therapy will consist of dynamic exercises that condition and strengthen your residual limb.

Your therapist will also help you through specific exercises tailored to your amputation. They may design exercises that work your hip, back, abdomen, or knee if you’ve had a lower body amputation. Or they may have you doing exercises to strengthen your upper back, shoulder, upper arm, and elbow if you had an arm amputated.

One of the most important reasons to start physical therapy right away is the psychological advantage it will give you. Spending days or even weeks immobilized can encourage you to only focus on your loss, which can easily cause you to start feeling hopeless, and you may have a hard time finding motivation later. Being able to immediately focus on what you can control will do wonders for your outlook and your attitude towards rehabilitation.

Physical therapy will also give you and your therapist the opportunity to closely monitor your healing residual limb. Even minor scratches or abrasions on it can lead to pain, infection, and significant delays in your recovery progress. Your therapist will teach you the rules of hygiene, like cleaning the socket, determining the best ply of prosthetic sock, managing perspiration, and much more.

Lower Extremity Users

For lower extremity users, the primary focus will be on sitting or lying exercises, and eventually standing exercises aimed at reorienting your center of gravity. Weight shifting exercises between parallel bars will help you learn to displace your center of gravity forward, backward, and sideways. These exercises will eventually phase into practicing bearing weight on your prosthesis and will prepare you for the weight shifting that naturally occurs when you’re walking. Of course, your physical therapist will teach you how to put on and take off your prosthetic device, and you’ll practice that quite a bit.

The next step in your rehabilitation will be gait training. Your therapist will do a lot of hands-on positioning and resistive techniques as you start walking again. Your physical therapist and your prosthetist should be working together throughout this entire process, to monitor your progress. You’ll continue to work on strengthening exercises, and especially on specific daily living activities. This will include things like getting dressed, using the bathroom, standing up and sitting down, carrying things, getting in and out of a car, driving, etc.

Upper Extremity Users

The early stages of physical or occupational therapy for the upper extremity focus on maintaining or increasing the mobility of your joints. Strengthening exercises will also be very important at this stage, as well as pain management. Your physical therapist will employ various methods of helping you with any pain you may be feeling, including ultrasound, massage, electrical neural stimulation, acupressure, acupuncture, and resistive exercise.

Much like lower extremity physical therapy, your therapist will help you practice using your sound hand for daily activities like eating, grooming, using the bathroom, writing, picking up objects, etc. They’ll help you learn to use your teeth to assist with some tasks, as well as other methods of making daily activities easier. Also like lower extremity physical therapy, the first goal of your course will be teaching you to put on and take off your new prosthesis—from then on, the focus will be on using the device. How your training proceeds after this point depends largely on whether you have a body-powered or an externally powered device.

Long Term

It’s important to realize that physical therapy is not just for new amputees or new prosthetic users—for optimum mobility and comfort, you should be evaluated by a physical therapist every year or two for the rest of your life. Your physical therapist can pinpoint problems that you don’t notice, problems that if left untreated can lead to back problems or pain elsewhere in your body. It’s been proven that people who continue going to therapy operate much better with their prosthesis and are better walkers and movers overall. People who don’t continue therapy will see a gradual decline in their abilities.

For expert advice, support, and more information, contact Biotech today and discover your possibilities!

No matter what age someone is or what their daily circumstances are, everyone has trouble sleeping from time to time. It’s a delicate cycle—just eating the wrong thing before bed can result in a whole night of tossing and turning. For people who’ve experienced limb loss, the list of reasons for not sleeping soundly goes on much further. More than 1.6 million Americans have suffered from some type of limb loss, and while not all of these people wear a prosthetic limb, sleeping can pose a new set of problems. Here are our top four tips for getting a comfortable night’s sleep and for making sure your prosthetic limb fits you well for years to come.

Shower at Night

If you’re used to showering in the morning, you might consider changing up your routine after you get your prosthetic limb. The heat from an early morning shower can cause swelling in your limb, which will prevent your prosthetic from fitting correctly. This could cause some real discomfort throughout the day, so try showering at night so your limb isn’t swollen when you wake up.

Put Your Prosthetic On First Thing

In the same spirit, waking up and throwing your legs over the side of the bed can cause swelling in your limb if you’ve had a leg amputated. While you sleep horizontally, all of your fluids, organs and bones relax to their full extent. This is also why you’re at your tallest when you first wake up! So sitting up quickly and letting your legs hang will encourage quick swelling, which can make it hard to put your prosthetic on and get it to feel comfortable. Get in the habit of putting it on while you’re still horizontal, so it’s the truest best fit for your limb. This may not be necessary forever, but at least while you’re adjusting to your prosthetic, this will help a lot.

Sleeping with a Pillow

If you’ve had an above-the-knee amputation, avoid sleeping with a pillow between your legs. This may feel comfortable, but it can cause your inner thigh muscle to lengthen and your outer thigh muscle to shorten. Over time, this will affect the way your limb lays while you’re standing, which can cause you a good bit of pain. A hip flexion contracture is another possible result of sleeping with a pillow between your legs. This will make it so that you can’t completely straighten your hip, which will cause a lot of discomfort in your everyday life.

Stretch

Your physical therapist should give you plenty of stretches to work on, and you should do these daily. Most importantly, you should be doing stretches that ensure you can straighten your hip and leg every morning. This will make everything in your life—walking, sitting, and lying down or sleeping—much easier and much more comfortable.

Learning to live with a prosthetic limb is a lifelong process, and every person’s experience will be different. Exercising these tips will make the transition into amputee life much more comfortable for you now and in the long run!

For more information, advice, and professional prosthetic services, contact Biotech today!

Staying fit and eating healthy is important to anyone, but it’s especially important for prosthetic users. When you lose a limb, you lose a portion of your musculoskeletal system—this can put a lot of physical strain on the rest of your body. The emotional strain of adapting to life without a certain limb can weight on your mind as well. Your physical and mental recovery as well as your long-term health will all benefit from committing to a healthy lifestyle.

Exercise

Physical fitness is not something you can achieve quickly or easily—it’s a long-term process that requires work and dedication. It’s something that’s gradually built and then maintained for the rest of your life. Something that new amputees and prosthetic users need to remember is that trying too much too soon is counter-productive. Working yourself too hard will only lead to injury and discouragement—it takes several months for most people to recover from an injury or surgery.

Your physical therapist can work with you to figure out what exercises are good for you wherever you are in the healing process. The ideal exercise program will condition both your upper and lower body, as well as your cardiovascular system. Weight bearing activities are great for strengthening your musculoskeletal system, but make sure you’re only lifting what you can. Also, swimming is a popular exercise for amputees because it strengthens everything without putting any additional stress on your joints.

The most important thing you can do for your physical health is find an exercise that you truly enjoy and that fits well with your life. It can be something extremely simple, like walking or biking, or it can be more specific like taking yoga classes or climbing. It’s not uncommon for people who have lost a limb to become sedentary, especially during the few weeks before their physical therapy begins. This can lead to rapid weight gain, which will only cause extra problems.

Consider working with a specialized physical trainer. Getting motivated yourself can sometimes be difficult, especially if you’re adapting to life without an arm or a leg. Someone who’s trained to help people in similar situations to yours will make getting fit much easier.

Don’t discount the emotional health benefits that exercise can have either—the emotional toll of losing a limb can be immobilizing. Physical therapy or an ongoing exercise program can help reduce these feelings and lift some of the weight off of you.

Eating Healthy

Just like exercising, maintaining a healthy diet can’t be an overnight change. The best way to avoid discouragement or any shock to you system would be to gradually make healthier choices. Start with reducing your processed food and sugar intake, and drink a lot of water. Start adding fruits, vegetables, lean meat, low fat dairy products and whole grain bread to your daily diet. When you eat out, look for low fat or low calorie options, or ask that your food be cooked a different way—for example, getting grilled chicken instead of fried on your sandwich.

Good nutrition and regular exercise will have immensely positive effects on your skeletal system, and can help prevent osteoporosis. Bone density, bone mass and bone strength all naturally decrease as we get older. After age 50, your loss of bone tissue increases, especially in women. Most women will lose about 30% of their bone tissue, and men will lose about 17%. To reduce these risks, include calcium-rich foods in your daily diet like kale and other dark green vegetables or low-fat yogurt. Try to limit your caffeine consumption as well, because that blocks the absorption of calcium. Your physician may even prescribe calcium or vitamin D supplements, estrogen or fluoride.

Smoking

If you smoke, and you feel like quitting is too difficult or even impossible, there are options you can consider. Quitting smoking is the single most important step to enhancing the length and quality of your life. Nicotine Replacement Therapy has helped thousands of people give it up for good, so consider seeking outside information and support to help you.

For more advice and support, contact Biotech today.