Whether you are a runner, long distance walker or household ambulator, the answer should be the same when it comes to prosthetic legs….
1.) The Easy Answer is That Wearing a Prosthetic Leg Should Not Hurt You.
Here’s why…
The prosthesis is usually cushioned on the inside by some sort of padding. This typically comes in the form of a gel liner which can be 3mm to 6 mm thick. Or, a custom made liner can be made for you if your residual limb is unique to help fit your anatomical shape.
After this shock absorbing material, there will be something called a socket that fits to your residual limb (over the gel liner).
This socket is usually custom made to your shape. Either through as casting, scan or through numerous measurements that greatly define your residual limbs size and shape.
In addition, further padding can sometimes be added like a prosthetic sock.
2.) Reasons Why Your Prosthetic Leg Might Start Hurting You
1.) Your gel liner is old and worn out.
This could be a reason why your residual limb might start to feel pain. There is not exact date to get these renewed, because everyone uses them with a different frequency.
However, if your gel liner is old and worn out it is time to contact your prosthetist.
Also, it is possible that your liner has not been cleaned thoroughly and a skin irritation might develop from build up inside the liner.
2.) Your residual limb has matured.
Depiction of a custom made socket that should fit the residual limb extremely well.
If your residual limb has gone through something called a maturation process then the limb may begin to feel some discomfort. The reason why we say this is that your socket might have been made to a larger shape of you and if you shrink down then the fit of the prosthesis changes. Sometimes socks can come to the rescue but a lot of change can mean you need a new socket and this does
occur.
3.) Painful nerve ending.
It is possible that your pain is coming from the inside and not from the prosthesis. But when you weight bear on a painful spot due to a potential nerve issue etc. then the pain can be escalated.
If this is the case, it is time to see the doctor and potentially consider treatment for this issue separate from the prosthetic treatment. This does happen from time to time.
In Conclusion
As you may or may not have seen on television, or heard about in general, amputees can be Olympic athletes and high level walkers and exercisers. These individuals could not do this kind of activity if their limbs hurt them all the time.
Many other amputees can use their prosthesis without pain as well. People that use a prosthesis for basic ambulation (walking), for example walking in the house or going up or down stairs should not expect pain from a custom prosthesis.
You might encounter changes in size (limb maturation) or your gel liner might be old or needs to be cleaned more thoroughly.
The prosthesis and liner also have to be put on correctly at all times to optimize fit and function. In general though, advances have been made in prosthetics to the point where you should not expect pain as a rule of thumb. But rather, it could come in specific instances mentioned in this article.
*We hope this information has helped you. If you do have issues with the prosthesis you are using it is best to call your prosthetist right away for a follow up visit.
Best of luck.