Recovering After Lower Limb Amputation

Care of Your Residual Limb

Below are some guidelines to help you learn care of your limb:

Wear a limb protector to protect your limb from a bump or fall.
Once your limb is healed, wash it each day using a facecloth, soap without perfume and warm water.
After you wash, rinse and pat your skin dry. Use a lotion without perfume to prevent dry and itchy skin.
Use a hand mirror to look for signs of skin problems at the end of your limb.
Don’t shave your limb as you may develop ingrown hairs or an infection.
Put on clean stump socks each day. Hand wash your stump socks with a mild soap without perfume and rinse them well.
Talk to your therapist who can suggest ways to help you cope with any loss of feeling in your limb and ways to lessen scarring.

Contact your family doctor right away if you suddenly have more pain and/or redness and warmth on your residual limb. These are signs of a possible infection.

Current as of: September 20, 2019

Author: Allied Health, Alberta Health Services

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This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.

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