When the weather changes, so does your body. Warm, humid air may turn your straight hair curly; dry winter air may send you running for the lotion three times a day. But aside from using sunscreen, there are a lot of other things to consider when it comes to warm weather skin care for amputees. Let’s take a look at two things to keep in mind as spring arrives this year!
Preventing Infection
You’re going to sweat in the spring and summer -- that much is inevitable! But if your residual limb is sweating in its socket all day, you may end up with a bacterial infection. Nobody wants that!
At least once a day, wash your prosthetic socket and your residual limb with antibacterial soap in order to prevent infection from occurring. It’s also wise to wash your prosthetic socks and liners and least once daily, making sure they are totally dry before you wear them again.
Preventing the Breakdown of Your Skin
Being outside a lot when the weather is warm is great for you! But the more active you are with your prosthetic device, the more risk you have of your skin breaking down around it.
To keep your skin healthy, be sure your prosthesis fits perfectly and that you are maintaining a steady weight. Drink lots of water and eat healthy foods whenever possible so that bloating is minimal. This will help your skin stay in great shape through the end of the summer!
Contact BioTech with Questions about Skin Care for Amputees!
If you have any questions or concerns about taking care of your skin this spring and summer, let us know! We are ready and willing to help you in any way we can. Contact us today!
Many people struggle with getting a good night’s sleep. Sometimes it’s financial worries, stress at work, illness, or children with a tendency to wake in the night. But getting sleep after limb loss can present a whole new set of complications! Let’s take a look at a few of the reasons you may not be sleeping well, plus some ways to catch more zzz’s at night!
Reason #1: Infrequent Stretching
It may seem tedious, but stretching on a daily basis will ensure that you can straighten your hip, leg, arms, etc. properly, which will make everything from sitting to walking to lying down more comfortable.
When your body is stiff and tight, it can’t relax the way it should once you climb in bed. This means a poor night of sleep for you and a hard time waking up the next morning!
Reason #2: Swelling
Your residual limb can start swelling the moment you let it hang off the bed in the morning, which means putting on your prosthesis won’t be easy. To combat this, put your prosthesis on before you swing your leg over the edge of the mattress or before you get up and start moving your arm.
This may be difficult to do, but as time goes on, the swelling will be less of an issue and this won’t be such an important step.
Reason #3: Morning Showers
Many people love a hot shower first thing in the morning, but unfortunately, hot water can cause your residual limb to swell.
Instead, try taking your shower at night so that your limb will be back to normal by the time you wake up. It might not be quite as satisfying to start your day without that hot shower, but your prosthesis will fit a lot better -- and that should make up for it!
BioTech Is Here for Your Questions About Sleep After Limb Loss!
Whether you have questions about your sleeping patterns or you’re curious about the fit of your prosthesis, BioTech is here to help you venture into your new life with joy and confidence! Contact us today!
Did you know that over 500 Americans lose a limb every day? It’s true! There are nearly 2 million people living with limb loss in the United States. With numbers like that, it’s obvious that if you’ve lost a limb and you’re looking for new amputee information, you’re certainly not alone! Ready to find out a few of the ways this month is special for people with limb loss? Let’s take a look!
“Show Your Mettle” Day
The Amputee Coalition's Show Your Mettle Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 23. The hope is that people with limb loss will wear and show their devices with pride on this day. The concept behind it all is to show your “mettle” (your capacity to deal with challenges and face a difficult situation with determination and resiliency) by showing your “metal” (your prosthesis or wheelchair).
Additionally, all who feel comfortable doing so are encouraged to post a photo of themselves wearing their device or using their wheelchair with the hashtag #ShowYourMettle throughout the month of April. These photos should be posted on The Amputee Coalition’s social media platforms – Facebook (Facebook.com/AmputeeUSA), Instagram (Instagram.com/AmputeeCoalition), and Twitter (Twitter.com/AmputeesUSA).
Other Things Happening This Month
Aside from specific events like the above, April is a special month for people with limb loss because of the focus on things like the following:
- Education for the limb loss community, including new amputee information
- A platform for those with limb loss to speak publicly about issues they face
- Prevention information for people who are at risk for limb loss
- Support for individuals with limb loss and their caregivers
Additionally, there are numerous local events like walk/run/roll 5Ks, fundraising festivals, and other exciting things happening all around the country. Check with your town to see what kind of opportunities you’ll have to celebrate the limb loss community this month!
BioTech Limb and Brace Has New Amputee Information for You!
Limb Loss Awareness Month is an amazing time for many reasons, but we like to celebrate our patients every day of the year! If you’re new to limb loss, contact us today for expert information and passionate professionalism. We are here to help you every step of the way!
After limb loss, it’s important to surround yourself with a supportive community. But what if you’re not sure where to turn? If you’re looking for new amputee information, the following organizations are sure to keep you educated, active, and encouraged!
The Amputee Coalition
This organization is passionate about helping people with limb loss and their families live a full life and enjoy high-quality patient care. They are also dedicated to limb loss prevention. On their website, you can find an extensive limb loss resource center, assistance in finding a support group, and a schedule of upcoming events. Check out The Amputee Coalition online!
Challenged Athletes Foundation
With a focus on athletic ability, this organization dedicates itself to empowering people with disabilities to be great athletes. From grant funding to community outreach, CAF has dozens of ways to get involved and reach your athletic potential! Visit the Challenged Athletes Foundation website for more new amputee information related to athletics.
PLAY Foundation
Sports, education, and the arts are PLAY Foundation’s passions! They are dedicated to helping people with limb loss lead active, fulfilling lives. 10 qualified applicants can participate in PLAY annually, and you can find application information on their website. Check out the PLAY Foundation website for more information about this amazing organization!
BioTech Limb and Brace is Your Source for New Amputee Information!
Looking for more limb loss resources? Need fitting services? BioTech is your solution! Contact us today for all your prosthetic and orthotic needs. We can’t wait to help you recognize all your possibilities!
Your body has recovered from limb loss, you’ve adapted to your new prosthesis, and you’re ready to get back out into the world. That’s great! But you may be feeling a little anxious about your plans to travel after limb loss. What challenges will you encounter? How many accessibility obstacles will you run into on your trip?
Don’t worry -- there are plenty of resources out there to ease your worries! The more you know what to expect, the less afraid you’ll feel. After all, knowing is half the battle, right? (Thanks, G.I. Joe.)
Here are three great resources for anyone who’s preparing to travel after limb loss.
Access Anything
Access Anything’s mission is to enable people with disabilities to live a full, unhindered life through adventure and travel. They’re passionate about improving accessibility in the travel industry, and they actively spread awareness about this need through consultations with industry professionals, motivational speaking, and general education.
Easy Access Travel
Easy Access Travel specializes in cruise vacations and packaged land tours for mature and disabled travelers. They research vacation options for their clients and give them information to make their trip enjoyable instead of frustrating. A large part of this is eliminating potential surprises so that their clients know what to expect on their trip.
Amputee Coalition Travel Adventures
ACTA focuses specifically on cruise and land vacation packages for people with limb loss. Their trips are led by Debra Kerper, who has traveled to more than 30 countries and enjoyed more than 75 cruises as a below knee amputee. Their website has a list of upcoming adventures specifically designed to be accessible for people with limb loss.
BioTech Limb and Brace Can Help You Travel After Limb Loss!
At BioTech, our patients become our family. If you’re ready to start venturing into the world again, give us a call with any questions you have. We are here to help!
While all of our clients hold a special place in our heart, we like to shower a little extra love on our veterans. That’s why we’ve put together this list of limb loss resources for the men and women who serve our country so well. Check out these websites that seek to care for our veterans with limb loss!
- Air Compassion for Veterans (www.aircompassionforveterans.org) strives to ensure that all warriors, veterans, and affected family members have access to specialized medical care, as well as programs that can help them reintegrate into everyday life.
- Building for America's Bravest (www.ourbravest.org) offers adaptive homes for injured soldiers.
- The Gary Sinise Foundation (www.garysinisefoundation.org) honors veterans, their families, first responders, and others in need by adapting their homes and cars, providing wheelchairs, and building customized SmartHomes.
- The Independence Fund (www.independencefund.org) offers funding for modified bicycles for injured veterans.
- Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org) creates programs to help wounded veterans find work, athletic events, support groups, and more.
If you’re a veteran who would like to speak to prosthetic and orthotic device experts, look no further than BioTech Limb and Brace in Birmingham, Alabama. Not only can we offer limb loss resources to help you get your life back on track, we can also help with prosthetic limb fitting.
Ready to talk? Contact us today!
You know your body has been impacted by limb loss, but what about your mind? Losing a limb affects nearly every aspect of your life, so it makes sense that your emotional and mental states would need just as much recovery time as your body.
When you’ve lost a limb, it’s important to approach recovery in a holistic fashion. Your body’s recovery is important, obviously -- but it’s no more or less important than your mental, emotional, and spiritual recovery.
The Psychological Stages of Limb Loss
Losing a limb often triggers the well-known five stages of grief. These are:
- Denial - “I cannot believe this has happened to me.”
- Anger - “This isn’t fair. I shouldn’t have to go through this.”
- Bargaining - “Maybe if I do x, then I will be whole again.”
- Depression - “Life is meaningless now. What’s the point?”
- Acceptance - “This is my new normal, so I might as well make the best of it.”
While it’s difficult to go through this sequence of psychological responses, it’s also important to allow your mind to process what has happened in its own time. Engaging appropriately with each stage of grief gives you the space to work through your loss, deal with your negative emotions, and ultimately move into your new life with hope. There are top prosthetic companies who can help with this, too -- it’s always good to have experienced experts on your side!
Body Image
It’s no secret that society’s view of beauty can be pretty narrow-minded. If you’re not a thin, toned, perfectly-proportioned supermodel with all four limbs, you may find that you don’t line up with the “beautiful people” on TV or elsewhere. And in spite of the fact that you know those standards are impossible to live up to, the idea can still take root in your mind and poison your self-perception.
The first thing to remember is that those people on TV have entire teams of hairstylists, makeup artists, wardrobe designers, and personal trainers making them look unattainably attractive every day of the week. So not only is that kind of standard completely unrealistic for anyone, it’s not even realistic for those people without an army of beauticians by their side.
The second thing to remember is that it’s more important to feel good about yourself than to worry about how you look. It might sound trite, but when you feel good about the way you look, it doesn’t really matter how others perceive you because you’ve already decided you look good -- even if you don’t match up with society’s definition of “good.”
(Who came up with that definition, anyway? Maybe it’s time to redefine beauty completely.)
Getting Support from Family and Friends
A vital part of working through the psychological impact of limb loss is surrounding yourself with a support network. Friends and family who will love you, challenge you, and encourage you can make all the difference in processing your new normal and living a joyful life. Additionally, calling in the experts at one of the top prosthetic companies can help with seemingly small things that are actually quite important, like making sure your prosthesis fits perfectly.
The people in your support network should be empathetic, but they shouldn’t treat you like a baby. Instead, they should focus on staying by your side as you move through the stages of grief, encouraging you when you reach the point of acceptance, and exploring new possibilities with you as you move into your new life.
New to Limb Loss? Contact a Top Prosthetic Company Today!
If you’re looking for dedicated, passionate professionals to help you recognize your possibilities after limb loss, look no further than BioTech Limb and Brace in Birmingham, Alabama. Contact us today!
For athletes who are new to limb loss, pursuing competitive sports with a prosthetic device can feel awkward and uncertain. You may be wondering if you’ll ever throw a baseball as well as you did before, or how you’ll manage to score a goal with your new prosthetic foot.
Thanks to today’s prosthetic limbs technology, you can still dominate the basketball court while wearing your prosthesis! Here are five athletes with prosthetic devices who are sure to ignite the competitive spirit inside of you.
#1: Jeremy Campbell
What do you do when you’re born without your right fibula? You set a new Paralympic world record for discus, that’s what.
Jeremy Campbell wanted to become the first disabled athlete to launch a discus 60 feet in an official competition, which he achieved. But it was his world record throw of 62.18 meters at the BT Paralympic World Cup in Manchester, England, that really set him apart from other discus competitors. Now, Jeremy wants to compete not only in the Paralympics, but also against “able-bodied” athletes.
#2: Aimee Mullins
One of People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People in the World,” Aimee Mullins was born without fibula bones in both legs. She had her legs amputated below the knee on her first birthday, and learned to walk with prosthetic legs by her second birthday.
Aimee never let her prosthetic legs keep her from enjoying normal childhood activities! Whatever her friends were doing -- swimming, skiing, playing soccer -- Aimee was right there with them. Now, she’s a Paralympic athlete.
#3: Scott Schroeder
After a roadside bomb attack in Afghanistan took both his legs and one arm, soldier Scott Schroeder refused to stop enjoying SCUBA diving.
He now wears two prosthetic legs and one prosthetic arm, and has special flippers attached to his legs so that he can explore underwater worlds. Scott Schroeder is proof that with today’s prosthetic limbs technology, losing a limb (or two, or four) doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun anymore!
#4: Hugh Herr
After a terrible climbing accident resulted in the loss of his legs as a teenager, Hugh Herr might have been justified in never climbing a cliff again -- but of course, that’s not his story. Even when one of his prosthetic legs fell off during a climb, he simply waited for it to be lifted up to him before continuing to the top.
Aside from running a lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that makes bionic legs, Hugh Herr also insists that prosthetic limbs aren’t a disadvantage at all -- they’re actually an advantage.
#5: Bob Radocy
Not only does Bob Radocy wear a prosthetic hand, he also designs prosthetic devices that give athletes the ability to participate in multiple sports. After losing his hand in a car accident, Bob experimented with multiple prosthetic devices before becoming frustrated enough to just design his own.
Ultimately, Bob’s prosthetic hand design gave him the ability to not only enjoy any sport he wanted, but to be competitive with his two-handed friends, as well.
BioTech Is Your Expert on Prosthetic Limbs Technology for Athletes!
Ready to start writing your own inspirational athletic story? Contact BioTech today to recognize your possibilities as an athlete with a prosthetic device!
Getting a new prosthesis isn’t the easiest thing in the world, but moving forward into a full, joyful future is possible! One of the best things you can do for your new body is to ensure your prosthesis fits perfectly; however, it can be a bit of a challenge to zero in on that ideal fit. So how do you make sure your device fits the way it should?
Good news! The dedicated professionals at BioTech Limb and Brace, your Birmingham prosthetic and orthotic device experts, are here with three tips to simplify the fitting process.
Take Your Time
Staying patient through the fitting process can be hard. You probably won’t get a perfect fit the first time; in fact, it might take several adjustments before your prosthesis feels and operates the way it should. You may get frustrated and try to speed up the process, but this will only result in a poorly-fitting device that isn’t comfortable and doesn’t meet your needs.
Keep in mind that your new prosthesis is a complex system of moving parts, and it’s going to need some tweaking before it jives perfectly with your residual limb! Even if the process takes a few weeks, it’s worth it because you’ll avoid the fatigue and discomfort that accompany a bad fit.
Don’t Ballpark It -- Pinpoint It!
When you’ve already been through three fittings, a fourth can seem about as much fun as a root canal. You may be tempted to throw in the towel and deal with a little discomfort just for the sake of being done. Don’t give in! If you’ve already had a few adjustments made, chances are you’ll strike gold sooner than you think -- maybe even at your next visit!
Wondering if your prosthesis fits like it should? Ask yourself how your body feels and functions on an everyday basis. If you’re struggling with your device, feeling fatigued, or having trouble with balance, you’re probably not there yet. Keep going! Just a few more hours of fittings could result in years of higher-quality life.
Call the Experts at BioTech Limb and Brace in Birmingham, Alabama!
Hitting the bullseye on that perfect fit requires the help of a qualified prosthetist. The professionals at BioTech Limb and Brace treat patients like family and won’t give up until your prosthesis fits just right. Contact us today!
If you’ve experienced limb loss, you’re familiar with the challenge of finding normalcy in everyday life. With a prosthesis, your body feels, looks, and moves differently than it did before. Everything seems to take an extra dose of effort, from the big stuff (like walking) to the small stuff (why does brushing your teeth suddenly require such focus?!).
Sometimes, it can be tempting to dwell only on the hard and lose sight of the good -- but there are many ways you can learn to not only live with your new prosthesis, but love it, too! Read on for tips to fall in love with your prosthetic or orthotic device from BioTech Limb and Brace in Birmingham, Alabama.
Love Your Fit
You’ve probably heard it a million times, but fit is (almost) everything! Sure, it can be a tedious process, but once you hit that optimal fit, your relationship with your prosthesis will improve exponentially.
Every prosthesis is a unique combination of parts that must work with your body, and it may require several adjustments before you hit the sweet spot -- but once you do, you’ll be so glad you stuck with the process!
Consider Your Lifestyle
What are your roles in life? Are you a parent, a coach, an athlete, or a businessperson? Your prosthesis should fit your lifestyle, not hamper it!
If you engage in an activity that your prosthesis isn’t designed for, you may experience frustration at your inability to do that activity well. Even worse, you may damage your device or injure yourself!
A prosthesis that fits your life is vital for your emotional and mental state (nobody wants to feel frustrated all the time!) as well as your physical health (no injuries, please!), so even if it means having more than one device for the various aspects of your life, make sure you are wearing the appropriate type.
BioTech Limb and Brace is Your Prosthetic and Orthotic Device Expert!
Whether you’re already excited about learning to love your prosthesis or you need a little help getting there, our passionate and dedicated staff is ready to show you all the ways you can recognize your possibilities! Contact BioTech today!