Prosthetic Journey
Cornell Orthotics & Prosthetics
Your Journey to a Better You
At Cornell Orthotics & Prosthetics, we understand that the path from amputation to rehabilitation is a unique and deeply personal journey. We’re here to support you at every stage, offering compassionate care and guidance. Let’s walk through the different stages of your journey:
- Stage 1: Before Surgery
- Stage 2: After Surgery
- Stage 3: Pre-Prosthetic Training
- Stage 4: Receiving Your Initial Prosthesis
- Stage 5: Lifelong Follow Up
As you progress, integrating your prosthesis into your daily life will become more routine. While it may be challenging at times, your dedication will pay off. We offer peer support resources, including certified peer mentors and local or national events where you can connect with others who are on a similar journey.
At Cornell Orthotics & Prosthetics, we’re dedicated to helping you regain your independence and enhance your quality of life. Your journey is our journey, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Welcome to a brighter, more mobile future.
Before Surgery
Before your scheduled amputation, our team at Cornell Orthotics & Prosthetics will ensure you are well prepared. You will receive a thorough assessment, and your surgeon will discuss the procedure with you. We’ll address your concerns, potential phantom pain, and your short- and long-term goals. To provide you with a comprehensive perspective, we can also connect you with a peer visitor who has firsthand experience.
PSRD
We recommend wearing a protective dressing to prevent any injury. Your length of stay at the hospital will vary, but rest assured that we’ll focus on maintaining or improving the range of motion in your affected limb, promoting wound healing, and teaching functional mobility exercises.
Pre-Prosthetic Training
In this stage, you will be working with your physical therapist to regain your strength to maximize your ability before you receive your prosthesis. You will receive guidance on skin care, muscle strengthening, pain management, and limb shaping. Expect some swelling in your residual limb, which can be controlled with the use of a shrinker or compression sock. Our dedicated physical therapists will work with you to build strength and prevent muscle tightening. Desensitizing your residual limb and scar tissue will also be a focus during this stage.
We encourage you to meet with our prosthetist to assess your goals, work, and hobbies, which will help us tailor your prosthesis to your specific needs. Our peer mentors are available to provide invaluable support and answer your questions.
Receiving Your Initial Prosthesis
Once your limb has healed and the initial swelling has subsided, we’ll begin crafting your first prosthesis. Our experienced clinicians will work with you to create the best-fitting socket, ensuring comfort and functionality. You may initially be provided with a diagnostic socket for adjustments and modifications.
Lifelong Follow Up
Additionally, we provide lifelong follow-up care, starting with a gradual wearing schedule for your final prosthesis, continued physical or occupational therapy as needed, and regular appointments with our prosthetist for modifications and adjustments throughout the first year. Beyond that, we encourage routine check-ups to ensure ongoing comfort and performance.
Before Surgery
Before your scheduled amputation, our team at Cornell Orthotics & Prosthetics will ensure you are well prepared. You will receive a thorough assessment, and your surgeon will discuss the procedure with you. We’ll address your concerns, potential phantom pain, and your short- and long-term goals. To provide you with a comprehensive perspective, we can also connect you with a peer visitor who has firsthand experience.
PSRD
We recommend wearing a protective dressing to prevent any injury. Your length of stay at the hospital will vary, but rest assured that we’ll focus on maintaining or improving the range of motion in your affected limb, promoting wound healing, and teaching functional mobility exercises.
Pre-Prosthetic Training
In this stage, you will be working with your physical therapist to regain your strength to maximize your ability before you receive your prosthesis. You will receive guidance on skin care, muscle strengthening, pain management, and limb shaping. Expect some swelling in your residual limb, which can be controlled with the use of a shrinker or compression sock. Our dedicated physical therapists will work with you to build strength and prevent muscle tightening. Desensitizing your residual limb and scar tissue will also be a focus during this stage.
We encourage you to meet with our prosthetist to assess your goals, work, and hobbies, which will help us tailor your prosthesis to your specific needs. Our peer mentors are available to provide invaluable support and answer your questions.
Receiving Your Initial Prosthesis
Once your limb has healed and the initial swelling has subsided, we’ll begin crafting your first prosthesis. Our experienced clinicians will work with you to create the best-fitting socket, ensuring comfort and functionality. You may initially be provided with a diagnostic socket for adjustments and modifications.
Lifelong Follow Up
Additionally, we provide lifelong follow-up care, starting with a gradual wearing schedule for your final prosthesis, continued physical or occupational therapy as needed, and regular appointments with our prosthetist for modifications and adjustments throughout the first year. Beyond that, we encourage routine check-ups to ensure ongoing comfort and performance.
Schedule Appointment
Whether you have inquiries or are prepared to discuss prosthetic options, feel free to give us a call and talk to one of our experts or schedule an appointment.