Prostheses – Lower Limb

Attendance at the Limb Centre, also referred to as the Disablement Service Centre.

Approximately every three months, the child will be asked to attend the DSC to check for growth progress. When a new limb is prescribed, the following will happen in the majority of cases:

Cast and measurement of the limb.
A second visit to have a fitting of the new prosthesis to ensure that the alignment is correct and the socket is fitting well without any pressure areas.
A third visit for the delivery of the limb, to ensure cosmesis is acceptable and a further check- out procedure. A date will be given for the next visit to the centre.
If any problems occur between visits additional appointments can be made by ringing the centre. Typical problems are the prosthesis breaking, children can be very rough with them, and/or soreness of the stump or limb.

Types of Prosthesis
This is a very general outline because the prosthesis fitted to your child will be very carefully matched to his/her needs and physical abilities.

The infant/toddler prosthesis. The child will not be fitted until the age when walking can normally be expected, i.e. around 10 -12 months. The first prosthesis is very simple and is unlikely to have moving joints. It will be lightweight and stable and easy to put on and take off.

The younger child. A below knee prosthesis will be fitted at regular intervals to match the growth of the other leg or in bilateral cases to match the expected growth of the child. It will be of simple design and likely to have a non movable ankle. In an above knee prosthesis the design will again be simple with non- articulated joints (i.e. not movable).

The older child. As the child grows in size, strength and dexterity the prosthesis will become more complex with articulated joints, allowing a full range of movement.
Once Laura and I were out shopping and she toddled up to a group of old people sitting on a bench. They said “hello” and appeared friendly and and praised the pretty child, but as we walked away one of the group said loudly, “Oh look, she’s a spastic.” What effect this had on a three year old is difficult to tell; suffice to say there are those who still think of the (dis)abled as less than equals.

Asking for what you need

Parents awaiting limbs for their children should be prepared to ask for what they want. One mother remembers:

“…it was only because I wanted my child to be able to paddle and swim easily ion the sea, that I asked for a rubber foot instead of a felt one which fell to pieces when it came into contact with water.”

If parents are prepared to ask, special limbs, such as a leg suitable for paddling, can be made. It is important to remember though that it is up to you, the parents, to bring any problem or issue to the attention of the DSC so that attempts can be made to deal with it.

This guide has been reproduced here with the permission of STEPS. You can find our more information on the work of STEPS by visiting their website www.steps-charity.org.uk