When do you need a prosthesis after an amputation?

Amputation of an arm, leg, hand, foot, toes or fingers is very invasive and can be both physically and emotionally challenging. It is usually done for medical reasons, such as because of a serious injury, deformity, infection, diabetes or a circulation problem. One of the most common questions after a leg amputation, foot amputation, arm amputation, hand amputation or finger amputation is from when a prosthesis is needed and possible. Will you possibly have to undergo an amputation? Then we will be happy to inform you about this at Amputee Care Center. In doing so, it is crucial to contact us early, preferably before your amputation. 

Why contact Amputee Care Center early?

Before we go into more detail about when you need a prosthesis, we would like to explain why it is important to contact Amputee Care Center even before amputation. This is because our team of specialists will guide you through the entire process, from the moment an amputation is being considered until well after the procedure. This way, you will be optimally prepared and together we will ensure the right prosthesis that best suits your needs and wishes and a personal rehabilitation plan. 

When do you need a prosthesis?

The main purpose of a prosthesis is to take over the function of the amputated limb. When you need a prosthesis depends on your personal needs.  In our experience at Amputee Care Center, a number of factors are important here:

• Type of amputation: The location and extent of the amputation play a big role in choosing a prosthesis. For example, in a lower leg amputation or an upper leg amputation, a leg prosthesis is essential for mobility. In an arm amputation, hand amputation or finger amputation, a prosthesis can help with daily tasks and independence.
• Personal goals: What would you like to achieve after limb amputation? Do you want to be able to walk or play sports again, or is a prosthesis even essential to be able to do your job again? At Amputee Care Center, we discuss your goals and determine the type of prosthesis based on your wishes. 
• Medical condition: Whether a particular prosthesis is suitable for you also depends on your overall health and medical condition. Diabetes or cardiovascular disease, for example, can be very decisive in this respect.
• Age and physical activity: If you are relatively young or physically very active, the need for an advanced prosthesis, an electronic knee or bionic prosthesis is often greater than if you are older or do not use the limb as intensively.

How do I prepare for a prosthesis?

Preparing for a prosthesis starts before the amputation itself. At Amputee Care Center, we offer special (free) pre-amputation consultations for this, the pre-operative introductory meeting. Meet our team before surgery! Together, we discuss your medical history, lifestyle and your goals to create a personalised plan for you. We will also help you treat your stump immediately after surgery for optimal results and choose a prosthesis that suits you. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation.

Request a pre-operative introductory consultation.

How do I prepare my child to wear a prosthesis?

Will your child need a prosthesis? It is smart to get your child used to the idea by showing books or videos that explain prosthetics in a child-friendly way. Also, come visit the Amputee Care Center to learn about prosthetic options. We involve your child in the process of designing, choosing and fitting the prosthesis. This way, your child can look forward to a beautiful prosthetic design and feel involved. Encourage your child to express feelings and concerns. Also offer emotional support by practising with the prosthesis together, with our team. We are happy to assist parents with questions and concerns, seven days a week.

What are the benefits of a prosthesis?

A well-fitting prosthesis significantly improves your quality of life. For example, a prosthesis offers you the following benefits:

• Mobility: You can walk, run or even play sports again with a leg prosthesis, making you more independent again.
• Independence: With a hand or arm prosthesis, you can perform everyday tasks better. Think about eating, dressing and working, with less or no dependence on others.
• Psychological well-being: Having certain functionalities restored gives you a more positive self-image and reduces negative feelings that can sometimes accompany amputations.
• Social well-being: Being able to actively participate in social activities and work again also restores your social life.

Being able to be proud of your prosthesis

At Amputee Care Center, we like to make heroes out of prosthesis wearers, especially in young people and children. We emphasise that they are unique and help them be proud of their prosthesis. We involve them in designing a personal and attractive prosthesis. We like to introduce our ambassadors, positive role models, and stories of others with prostheses to provide inspiration. We encourage prosthesis wearers to learn new skills and celebrate their successes together. 

Amputee Care Center is the prosthesis expert in Belgium

The Amputee Care Center Team of specialised prosthetists, prosthetists and care coordinators believe in a holistic approach to prosthetic care. The team of experienced specialists do their utmost to provide the best possible care and support to every prosthesis wearer. Our prosthesis centre in Belgium with its own gait analysis laboratory and orthopaedic workshop prides itself on quality care. It is not for nothing that we have the ISO 13485 quality label. The prosthesis centre is proud to say it is at the forefront of technological innovation and personal attention.

3D printing lab and modern technology  

The Amputee Care Center's expertise lies in applying cutting-edge technologies. We use the latest prosthetics and 3D-print technologies to ensure a personalised prosthesis with a natural and comfortable fit. To best contribute to mobility and independence, we design our prostheses to provide maximum functionality and comfort.

Choose your own personal prosthetist and care coordinator

At Amputee Care Center, you will also always receive personal support. Your own personal care coordinator supervises the entire process. This ensures a seamless transition from amputation to rehabilitation and adaptation to the prosthesis.  

Prosthetics expertise centre

The multidisciplinary team at Amputee Care Center consists of orthopaedic surgeons, rehabilitation specialists, physiotherapists and psychologists who work together to provide the best possible care. All parts of rehabilitation receive the right amount of personal attention, from medical care to emotional support to a unique prosthetic device. After all, everyone is unique and customised care and prosthesis are therefore crucial to improving your quality of life, our main objective. We can proudly say that this makes Amputee Care Center a leading centre of expertise in prosthesis treatment in Belgium. In doing so, we are of course also accessible to prosthesis wearers from the Netherlands and other countries.

Your road to recovery starts at Amputee Care Center

The path to recovery after an amputation is unique for everyone. At Amputee Care Center, we make sure you are never alone on this journey. Our mission is to help you live a life that is not limited by your amputation, but rather enriched by the new possibilities offered by the right prosthesis. 

A good prosthesis makes a world of difference after amputation, but it is important to take the right steps early on. At Amputee Care Center, we are ready to guide and support you throughout the process. Our goal is to improve your quality of life and let you walk out again with a big smile. Contact us for a good chat about how we can help you before, during and after your amputation rehabilitation.