As bilateral above knee amputee. It's been so hard doing some exercises. So I'll love to know some suggestions about exercises which can actually help me to get in good lean shape. If anyone has workout routine or exercises as bilateral above knee amputee i'd appreciate that if you share that🥰

Just thought I would share as to the importance of a good relationship with your prosthesis person. It is crucial to making life easier and functional. I led a very active life before and still struggle with sadness occasionally about my new normal. After the trauma and infection I have areas of permanent atrophy that are not recovering at all creating weakness in my walk and ambulating. Have the early stages of Avascular necrosis in right hip that will require intervention also from infection. I was in a coma for 10 days and medically died twice..once in the chopper otw to hospital and once at the hospital for over 5 minutes. I try to remember that and how far I’ve come on the down days. We can recover from almost anything. 🙌

I've been naughty yet again. I apologize because there is a long setup for the short punchline. I have also had a liver transplant, which is a big part of this story.

I work as a CNA in a nursing home, and there is a norovirus epidemic in the building that I apparently caught, but I didn't know it at the time. I have been having diarrhea at work for at least a week, and concurrent low blood pressure issues.

On to the actual story. Towards the of my Thursday night shift, I nearly passed out 4 times within an hour so I took my pressure, it was 75/48. Oh. Shit.

I went straight to the ER from work. IVs, bloodwork, the whole 9 yards. My creatine was sky high and my liver enzymes were just as bad; they thought I was in kidney failure and my liver took a major hit. Spoiler: it was severe dehydration and everything settled down after 5 liters of IV normal saline.

The local ER decided I needed to go to the flagship hospital in Indianapolis where my liver doctor was located. I get there, and I got the full pitstop treatment getting settled. One of the aides made the mistake in removing my right shoe and sock, where I had my TMA.

"What the hell?!? My toes were still there when I left Bedford!"

🤣

3 months post op partial finger amputation (at the DIP knuckle) and this morning (7 hrs ago) I whacked it real good on the shower wall (don't ask me how 😅)

Please just tell me the pain will go away eventually???? (i know it will but right now it still hurts (to touch, to bend, to look at 🤣🤣) and I want to whine to people who get it)

My son is an above knee amputee. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for waterproof hunting boots. Not exactly sure how that will work trying to get his prosthetic foot in the boots.

I finally was able to order the iWalk 3.0 and I’m so excited. It’s supposed to be here Tuesday!! So does anyone that has used one have any tips or tricks to use it safely? TIA!

Hello! My boyfriend amputated his first digit on his ring finger about 3 days ago in a work accident. They couldn’t reattach it, so they left it as an open wound and I am using xeroform, Vaseline, antistick gauze, than bandaging. He is on keflex for 7 days. I’ve been researching as much as I can, as he doesn’t have his follow up with a specialist until next thursday(he was seen in the ER only so far). I came across juven and the success it has at helping wound healing, but I also see it has zinc in it and keflex shouldn’t be taken with zinc as I’ve read. He takes the keflex every 6 hours. I was wondering if anyone has used juven, keflex, combined and on their own, and any tips and tricks you may have to avoid infection and promote healing. Thanks so much!

So I recently, about 1 1/2 yrs ago, came down with small fiber neuropathy and erythromelalgia from probable long covid.

I had long term issues with my R sciatic nerve that has good recovery but some pre-existing skin ddysautonomia (cracking skin and callous formation).

I basically have diabetic feet, but am not diabetic. Sometimes my feet can get into the low 70s F. I can also get really low blood flow in my toes.

I recently had my 1st bout of cellulitis in my R foot. I identifued it and treated it very quickly. In the long run i am incredibly concerned about recurrence, tissue damage etc.

I know that amputation is just trading one set of problems for another, but since I work in Healthcare, I am super wound up about the long term viability of the tissue effected.

My labs are otherwise great and ct angio was clean as a whistle. The EM creates a significant microvascular issue.

My buddy is a rheumatologist and I voiced my concerns. He told me not to worry because "OPTIONS!!!!"

And then BOOM cellulitis...

My cousin who is an incredibly uncontrolled diabetic just lost her foot to cellulitis.

I am pretty spooked at tissue point, and am looking for insight from people who have been through stuff like this.

"Just gimme them robot legs and call me Gizmo Doc, not Gizmo Duck!"

Thanks

I don't fly very often.

In May of this year, something in the explosives residue swabs alerted, and TSA asked me questions and did extra screening. They're not going to tell you whether it was swab on hands or on prosthesis. The same thing happened at the Norfolk, VA airport last weekend. This time TSA pulled things out of my carryon backpack and did more swabbing, did the pat-down, etc.

I had done some googling in May and read that a lot of cosmetics, soaps, lotions contain glycerin and that can read as a false positive on the TSA swab test. Then I forgot about this. After my experience in Norfolk, I looked at the ingredients list of all of the hand/body lotions I had brought with me. For all except 1, glycerin was the 2nd ingredient in the list.

I tried an experiment on Wednesday when I went through TSA at a different airport. I washed all of the lotion off my hands in the airport before security. In the hotel room the previous night I wiped a damp washcloth over my shoes. No extra time was spent at TSA, and no alert happened on my swab tests. Success!

Coincidentally, May of this year is the first time that I had been using the lotion I chose to replace the discontinued Sensi-Care body cream #2.

Hi, LAK here, a stroke survivor nearing my 7th anniversary in a couple of months. I recently discovered a possible new trigger for phantom pain. I hadn’t experienced any phantom pain in quite some time, but I decided to try ending my showers with a cold water rinse to promote better circulation.

After indulging in a bit more dessert than planned during the holiday festivities, I noticed something unusual. That night, for the first time in years, my phantom pain returned, disrupting my sleep.

Reflecting on it, I realized the only changes were the colder weather and the cold water rinse during bathing. Normally, I stick to hot showers and keep my leg warm.

Does having a cold residual limb act as a phantom pain trigger for you too?

So I’m in a few different groups on different social medias and I’ve posted different things about my new life. I’m a BK new amp. About 7 months post op. I’m doing fantastic. I can run and do almost everything I used to. I posted a photo of me on my horse and while most were happy, some people acted as if I was being reckless and stupid for riding a horse. Talking about how I need to do extra things to be safe and all that. Im 26 years old and im able to do things that others may not. Why does it seem like so many people lose a leg and then make it their entire life? I’ve had people DM me saying that I need to be more careful and that I’m going to hurt myself. In my mindset, I’m not doing anything I wouldn’t have done before and something like riding a horse doesn’t make me some daredevil that doesn’t care about life lmao lost my leg riding a motorcycle, lady ran a light and hit me, so I guess I’ve always done things other people may think is dangerous.

Hey everyone, I'm looking for some advice from people who have dealt with this. I'm a new amputee (LBK of roughly 9.5 months), and I am having a lot of problems with my skin:

• REALLY itchy. Like, I didn't think itchiness could be debilitating but oh my goodness I can't take my mind off of it most of the time.
  • I tried using lotion, vitamin E oil, ointment, and leaving it alone. I wonder if there is a special way to lessen it that I haven't heard yet.
• Skin breakdown by the top of my liner.
  • I tried cutting one liner much shorter, and leaving the other long to rotate them out, but then I just get breakdown in both places. I do clean them every day :(
  • Could be the liner pulling downward when I move my leg, but I'd like to know how to put it on correctly if that's the case. I feel like I can't get it right.
• Acne under my liner, especially the back of my knee
  • I'm thinking that this may be a lost cause because how is my skin dry enough to be this itchy but oily enough for this much acne. Maybe it's just the lack of liner breathability. If anyone does have tips though that would be cool.

Those are all of my current problems, but advice related to any skin problem is welcome. I hope I explained it well enough. I am just constantly annoyed with my skin and I haven't found solutions that work for me yet. I guess a lot of this experience is learning how to better care for yourself, but damn I just wish my leg would cooperate.

Hi All,

My below knee amputation is on January 15th. I am visiting my older in-laws for Thanksgiving today. I noticed all the safety bars in the bathroom and a shower stool. He got me thinking that I need to get this stuff, too!

First question is.... does insurance usually pay for any of this? I know all insurance is different and each state is different, but most of the time there is a standard, right? Is there any special process for it?

Any recommendations for where to put bars up? Shower is an obvious one. Near the toilets?

Do they have to be professionally installed? If any, the shower ones most likely or there could be leak issues. The bathroom ones? Find the stud and go, right?

Any advice on shower stools? My in-laws have some nice wooden ones, but the Mrs points out the mildew. Something stable would be good, but not get in the way for the wife.

Is there anything else I am missing??? I just realized that it's creeping up and I hadn't thought of this stuff yet. Any advice is great.

Thanks!

To all of you. Especially to those of you having difficulties or just by your lonesomes.

To a cornucopia of prosperity & and an abundance of happiness. Godspeed.

Hi everyone,

New to the group. Just want to see if my post goes through first before telling the whole long story. Lost lower right leg to diabetic necrosis. Two months out.

hey there, back again. i appreciate everyones reply on my last post, really gave me and my partner who suffered the injury some hope.

Im back to ask about the surgery itself. he's going through the most non invasive one, where it would involve just taking a skin graft from another part of his body to cover it. he is going to a specialist, though he is being told he might have to wait till the day of his surgery (this coming monday), to be told whether or not his state insurance will approve it, otherwise he'll have to pay out of pocket in full that day (my god). im trying to take out a loan. just wondering if anyone who had the same or a similar surgery had help with their state insurance and how much they covered, or if it was out of pocket and a rough estimate of how much it was. its already been 6 days since the injury itself, waiting till monday is just insane to me. anyways ... i dont know . thank you for reading and again i appreciate anyone that takes the time to respond. <3

My grandad was staying at a hospital close by where I live, which is further away from my mom, uncle, and grandma - I spent this week in and out of the hospital visiting him… I went and visited him at the hospital a few days ago, and within 5 minutes of being there his surgeon came in and dropped the news that rather than numerous surgeries, amputation would be his safest bet for recovery. I am SO thankful I was there when he got that news and he was not alone. the surgeon was beyond empathic & I tried my best to keep a poker face and not be upset.. he told me it helped him to look over at me and see that I was not upset. I told him change was a scary thing, but this will be a change that’s better for him so he is in less pain. He had surgery this morning and is on the road to recovery, my friend who is a nurse told me that rehab is going to be the toughest part. He is going to a VA rehab close by so I can still visit him.. I told him that being at the VA rehab will be good for his mental health since he will be around others. He’s so tough and has had the most bad ass mentality through this entire process! I am so damn proud of him!! any tips on how as a family member I can help him through this recovery?

I’m a AK and just attempted angels landing and it felt near impossible to get good grip with my prosthetic while hiking. I’m curious if anyone here has done it?

Hello everyone!

Any tips on how to use a prosthesis leg all day. My liner gets really sweaty and starts to ich a little wearing all day at work.

Any help is welcome.

Thanks!

Hi, so I debated posting this, but I need advice on how to even address this.

I had a left bka done 1.5 months ago. Currently, I am in a shrinker and my leg has healed good.

Earlier this week a family member asked me if I could wear pants to cover my leg because of their child. They said that since hearing about my leg, they have cried uncontrollably and has stated that they do not want to come to Thanksgiving because it means seeing me. I informed this family members that I am already wearing sweatpants because it is cold outside.

Honestly, it left me dumbfounded. I'm not scared of any reaction the child may have or be upset because of it since they are only 5... but is there any way to make them understand it's ok?? I don't have kids so I don't deal with them often and I want to help them learn it's okay and feel comfortable around me.

Also now I also feel outcasted by my own family, if that makes sense. Has anyone here had a similar problem? Tbh I also needed to vent this because I don't know any other amputees and my husband (is AMAZING) but can't fully understand so I just wanted advice from those similar to me.

Thank you, I appreciate this group!

Update: I wore pants but rolled up the one leg (ngl I was a little petty here lol). Had on my shrinker so nothing (ie my scars) was showing. Good news is the child handled it well (which is figured they would)! They were shy at first, but no crying and adjusted well! Bad news is I had to argue to the point where I said it's either me here like this or I leave. I told the parent a lot of what you all affirmed for me and while I don't think I am clear of having this happen again, I feel A LOT stronger and self assured. Hopefully this interaction and the facts I stated made an impact in some form. Anyway, a BIG thank you to all of you and Happy Thanksgiving/ holiday!

Aprox a month ago my father had his big toe and the toe next to it amputated; Around few days ago he had to get ANOTHER Toe amputated cause he had gangreen on that toe / infection. He has Diabetes so I'm fairly worried on how long will take to heal?

Hes going to the doctor again tomorrow in the morning to see his stiches reopened or something or is this normal to bleed like this?

https://imgur.com/a/RCkSQTL

Is the current condition.

It's been 82 days since my accident and my 77 days since the amputation. My woud is still open and it looks like it may finally be closed hopefully in another 2 or 3 weeks . Currently when I do need to move around I use a walker and hop around . It's getting easier and obviously after long hops I'm tired and my remaining leg does hurt and I need rest . My main issue now is when I do sit down I need to be high up in order to get up . If the chair is to low I can't get up without assistance. I don't know if its a technique I'm missing or what but I can't get up on my own . Hoping by January or February I'll start the prosthetics process and I'm wondering . That should help put getting up from low places right ?

I have a PCA fun button currently for pain. But I'm having a issue with the pressure in my calf and "foot". It hurts and the meds won't touch it. It feels like my calf is going to pop from the pressure. My question is how should I had my leg positioned. It's currently completly extended with no bend in my knee and my calf is flat on the bed. Should I have it elevated and try to keep my knee straight while it's on top of a pillow? Or should I have the pillow just under my knee and let my calf angle downwards? I can't get ahold of any ortho doctors for suggestions so I came here for relief. If you also have any other tips for cramping or phantom pain please let me know.

I am new to being an amputee. My right lower leg was amputated last month. I have been really amazed how easy the recovery has been ,so far. I am currently in hospital for other issues, and had two separate people in medical field ask to touch my leg today. Neither of them are my doctors. Is this something that happens routinely?! Was sort of weird, and funny. The first person is a dr, but not my doctor. The second person is a technician at the doctor's office. Just wondered if I need to have a response for future encounters, if this is a normal thing!

Hello all. I’m currently in the process of scheduling an LBK due to CRPS and chronic infections. I’m looking for a doctor in Southern California, ideally north county San Diego but I’d be willing to drive a few hours, that performs TMR as I’m hoping to get that done with my initial amputation. I’m in the process of talking to an orthopedic surgeon my main doctor referred me to and I have an appointment with a prosthetist soon who I also plan on asking, but I thought I would see if anyone here had any recommendations. Any recommendations for doctors that are willing to do CRPS amputations would also be appreciated. Thank you in advance

Need suggestions on crutch tips. Amazon sucks with reviews and says a brand is good only to last 2-3 weeks. Walgreens used to have decent ones that lasted a year or so but lately there’s fall apart after a month or two!

I crutch on gravel and pavement frequently as well as hardwood floors and tile in our house. With winter setting in fast I’m looking for recommendations for an all weather/terrain tip that won’t break the bank and will last! I don’t care to spend $20 on a set that will last 6 months to a year as I’m currently by a set of six tips that last 3 months at best for $10. That’s a set a month.

I’m currently using my wheelchair in the house 80% of the time cause between pets and kids there are spills and I can’t risk landing on my stump. It would be nice if the tips were non skid and grippy even if hitting a wet floor!