Rearranging with Socks
My residual limb (little leg) can change in size. Even small changes in size can make a big difference in how my prosthetic leg fits.
Our bodies are always changing.
As I grow, every part of me grows. My little leg grows with me until I become a grown-up, just like the rest of me grows.
As I grow, every part of me grows. My little leg grows with me until I become a grown-up, just like the rest of me grows.
My little leg is made up of muscles, veins, and bone. The soft parts of my little leg (everything except the bone) might change in size throughout the day.
Sometimes if I play all day in the hot sun, my little leg might feel swollen. If I'm cold, my little leg feels smaller.
Sometimes if I play all day in the hot sun, my little leg might feel swollen. If I'm cold, my little leg feels smaller.
My prosthetist measures the size of my little leg a lot. That helps everyone know how my socket is fitting.
I wear socks with my prosthetic leg. I have a bunch of different socks. Some are thick and some are thin.
I wear socks with my prosthetic leg. I have a bunch of different socks. Some are thick and some are thin.
If my little leg feels like it's shrunk down, I add more socks. The socks add padding to my little leg. When my little leg feels swollen, I wear less socks.
Socks help take up the space between my little leg and my socket.
One of these pictures shows me when my little leg is swollen and I'm feeling very tight inside my socket. When my socket is too tight, I can't fit my little leg all the way into the socket. It is very uncomfortable.
One picture shows my little leg after it has shrunk down. There is a big gap between my little leg and the socket. I don't like that because my little leg slides around inside the socket. That does not feel good!
One picture shows me with just the right amount of socks. My socket is not too loose and not too tight.
Can you guess which picture is which?
One picture shows my little leg after it has shrunk down. There is a big gap between my little leg and the socket. I don't like that because my little leg slides around inside the socket. That does not feel good!
One picture shows me with just the right amount of socks. My socket is not too loose and not too tight.
Can you guess which picture is which?
We made up a little song to help us all remember how to use socks.
When we say wiggle, pretend you're a wild octopus and shake your tentacles!
When we say wiggle, pretend you're a wild octopus and shake your tentacles!
If you wiggle in the socket, add a sock.
If you're feeling kind of tight, take one away.
