Prosthetics Archives - ProMotion Prosthetics

Managing sweat when using your Prosthesis

Dec 13, 2019

Managing sweat in the Warmer months

Managing sweat when using your Prosthesis

With the beginning of Summer and having already experienced a few days of extreme heat, it’s a good time to recall some of the advice or techniques used to help manage perspiration (sweat) when using a prosthesis.After limb loss, the body has lost a significant skin surface area which previously was used to help regulate temperature. Using a prosthesis means the residual limb is now covered by multiple layers – the silicone/gel liner, socks and the socket. Furthermore, walking with a prosthesis requires more energy than for able-bodied counterparts. These factors combine to result in making prosthetic users prone to excess perspiration.

This topic is important because high ambient and skin temperatures with profuse sweating can lead to increased likelihood of skin breakdown, heat rashes or fungal infections.

Skin breakdowns can occur due to increased movement between the residual limb and the socket, which commonly occurs due to a build-up of sweat. Fungal infections are common on the skin and occur regularly in areas that are damp and warm (eg. Athlete’s foot), and this includes the residual limb under the prosthesis. Fungal spores are also likely to live on socks or silicone liners and so hygiene is extra important during the warm weather

Some Common Recommendations

If the hot weather and sweating is becoming a problem for you, please feel free to make an appointment to discuss your options as our advice is best catered for the individual, however some common recommendations we can provide are:

Anti-perspirant treatment

Extra strength treatments can be obtained from a pharmacy without the need for a prescription, or prosthetic use antiperspirants can be obtained from your Prosthetist. Some require the spray or roll-on to be applied on at night, ahead of an expected hot day. Be aware that some skin will be sensitive to antiperspirant, so always test a small section of skin before applying to the whole residual limb.

Moisture wicking socks

Some socks have been specifically designed to be worn against the skin, and underneath silicone/gel liners. These socks do not prevent sweating but help to wick away moisture and keep the skin dry. They are popular for below-knee amputees and can work with above-knees however they sometimes reduce the adhesion between the silicone/gel liner and your skin, resulting in excessive movement which can lead to its own problems (or the problem it attempts to correct- excessive movement).

These should be used after discussing with your prosthetist.

Nursing pads

These absorbent pads can be worn on the end of your residual limb with the liner rolled on over the top keeping it in place. The pads absorb sweat and can prevent a pool of sweat under the liner. These can be an option for those who are unable to use the moisture wicking socks, as the pads generally do not impact on the fit of the silicone/gel liner

Silcone/gel liner review (size, type)

Most of you probably wear a silicone or gel liner. There are a number of different types and some may provide you with relief from heat and sweating when compared to another. Most importantly, a liner should be well fitting – which your Prosthetist can check for you. A loose-fitting liner will result in more sweating, more pooling of sweat and more skin irritation.

Remember also to clean your liner daily, and sometimes twice per day in hot weather. This will help keep bacterial or fungal infection away.

Self-management techniques

Good hygiene, being prepared (carrying spare socks, towel, sprays etc), choosing appropriate activities for the temperature, frequent breaks from using the prosthesis (where possible) and regular monitoring of your skin will all help you stay out of trouble this Summer. Please try to develop a habit of making sure you are looking after yourself, your residual limb and your prosthesis.

Medical referral

For some people, sweating remains an issue despite best efforts to manage it. A review with your local doctor, or our Rehabilitation Consultant could help discuss other options. For example, Botox injections and laser hair removal have been used to help relieve sweating and issues associated.

For any further details or a review of your current options, please contact us to make an appointment on 03 9532 5098

You can read more about how to manage sweat as an amputee, at Limbs 4 Life website.

Introducing Mohammed – An Australia Awards Scholarship recipient

May 7, 2018

At ProMotion Prosthetics, we strive to do all we can to ensure our clients are able to achieve optimal outcomes and achieve their personal goals. However, it is not without the dedication, hard work and positive attitude of our clients that they will be able to reach their full potential. Needless to say, we are extremely proud of each and every one of our clients as we see them reach that potential and are always thrilled to be a part of their journey through rehabilitation and beyond.

One particular client whom we must acknowledge and owe a great deal of credit to for coming so far to achieve his goals is Mohammed. In early 2017, Mohammed arrived in Australia from his hometown of Malang, Indonesia to begin studying a Master degree in Law at the University of Melbourne. It wasn’t long after his arrival that we had the pleasure of being introduced to him.

Four years prior to this, he had undergone an amputation of his left leg above the knee after sustaining serious injuries in a road accident. Unfortunately, he was never fitted with a prosthesis in Indonesia, nor had he ever met a prosthetist. Unlike in Australia, Indonesia does not have in place the same level of funding for prosthetic or amputee rehabilitation services, creating a financial barrier to accessing such services for a large number of amputees. For those four years, Mohammed relied solely on a pair of crutches to ambulate.

Australia Awards Scholarship

The Australia Awards Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade awarded to students from low and middle-income countries. Mohammed was a recipient of this scholarship, and not only were his tuition fees covered but his necessary health expenses, including prosthetic management, were also supported. Mohammed was given the opportunity to be fitted with his first prosthesis.

Being fitted with a prosthesis for the first time can be an unusual and quite often challenging experience. In almost every case it requires significant amounts of time and practice in order to develop an ability to control the prosthesis and restore as much function as possible post-amputation. For Mohammed, learning to walk again posed an even more significant challenge given that his residual limb presented with marked weakness having not been used for the four years prior. Furthermore, he was simultaneously juggling full-time study in his second language and was also adapting to a new culture.

Nevertheless, Mohammed rose to the challenges always with a smile on his face and great gratitude for the opportunity which he had been offered. Over the course of a 10 months period, he received gait and strength training under the guidance of physiotherapist Jemma Keeves and his prosthesis was adjusted accordingly as his ability to ambulate with the prosthesis continually developed.

This concerted effort put into his prosthetic training has gone a long way and is a great example of how far strong will and persistence can take a person. On every occasion Mohammed came into ProMotion, there was an obvious improvement in his strength and mobility. From using a pair of crutches upon first prosthetic fitting to only a single-point stick for walking long distances and even climbing jungle gyms for a bit of fun, we were always thoroughly impressed. These improvements allowed Mohammed not only the ability to walk from class to class all over Melbourne Uni but also opened up opportunities to see more of Australia while he was here, enjoying visits to Adelaide and especially Tasmania along the way (look at that smile!).

Mohammed has now completed his studies, passing with flying colours. We must offer our greatest congratulations to him and all of his achievements over the past year. It has no doubt been a challenging road he has travelled but has done so always with great diligence and resilience.

Yet at the same time it was with some sadness that we also had to say farewell to Mohammed in February as returned home to Indonesia. We are sure his family would have been so proud to see him walk off the plane without crutches for the first time and also as a Master of Law. He has since let us know that life is
going very well now that he is back home and is pursuing work as a lawyer in either Surabaya or Jakarta, where he will have easier access to continuing prosthetic services.

Mohammed you have been an absolute pleasure to work with. All of us at ProMotion and your physiotherapist Jemma wish you all the very best success in your future career. You’re a shining example of the impact that a positive attitude and determination can have on a person and everyone around them. Hopefully we will have the chance to see you again someday.

For more information on the Australia Awards Program.

Mitch Farrar – Prosthetist, ProMotion Prosthetics