If you’re facing or considering amputation, you don’t have to go through it alone. We’re here — to answer your questions, help you understand your options, and walk with you every step of the way.
Knowing what to expect can ease anxiety and give you confidence. And while prosthetic technology has come a long way, the most important part of your success is having a Prosthetist who listens and adapts with you.
At Boland Prosthetic & Orthotic Center, prosthetic care is both an art and a science. We love helping people regain mobility, reach new milestones, and rediscover what’s possible. Every person we serve is different, and every device we craft is custom-shaped to fit not just your limb, but your life.
You’ll be an active part of the process, helping shape a prosthesis that’s built for your needs, your goals, and your future.
Schedule a personal consultation or ask to speak to our prosthetist.
We’re ready when you are.
Step 1
Taking the first step is easy. Schedule an appointment with our expert team, and we’ll work with you to find a time that fits your schedule. Whether it’s your first visit or a follow-up, we’re ready to meet you where you are in your journey.
Step 2
During your consultation, we’ll get to know your unique needs and goals. Our specialists will conduct a detailed assessment, answer your questions, and walk you through the options best suited for your comfort, mobility, and lifestyle.
Step 3
With a custom-fit device designed just for you, you’ll be on the path to enhanced mobility and independence. We’ll continue to provide support, adjustments, and guidance to ensure you achieve lasting, positive results that improve your quality of life.
You are created to overcome and designed to thrive. Now, let’s learn about living your best life after limb loss — with the support, tools, and guidance to help you move forward with confidence.
Below you’ll find practical information about wearing schedules, limb care, follow-up appointments, and what to expect as you adjust to your prosthesis. Every step forward matters, and we’re here to support you along the way.
These changes are an important part of recovery. A healthy, stable residual limb provides the foundation for a comfortable and functional prosthesis.
Your doctor or prosthetist will prescribe a shrinker once your incision has fully healed — usually about 2 to 4 weeks after surgery. They’ll assess the limb, check for readiness, and show you how to wear it correctly.
Not everyone starts at the same time — your limb has to be ready. Starting too soon could cause problems, and starting too late can slow down progress. That’s why it’s important to follow your care team’s guidance.
Your prosthesis starts with a plan — made just for you.
Your initial evaluation is a vital first step in your prosthetic journey. It’s when we begin to understand you — your medical history, daily routine, goals, and the kind of prosthesis that will best support your life.
Every prosthesis is made up of different components — and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Choosing the right parts depends on a thorough evaluation of:
Your prosthetist will:
Your input is essential. We’ll design your prosthesis around your real-life needs — not just your diagnosis.
This evaluation helps determine:
Each decision affects your comfort, mobility, and confidence in everyday activities.
This isn’t a one-time decision — it’s the beginning of a partnership. As you begin walking and adapting, we’ll continue fine-tuning your prosthesis based on real-world feedback and your evolving needs.
At Boland Prosthetic & Orthotic Center, we don’t just build devices — we build relationships. Your journey starts with a conversation, and your evaluation is where we begin crafting a solution made just for you.
Creating a comfortable and functional prosthesis is a step-by-step process. Each stage allows your prosthetist to carefully evaluate the shape of the limb, refine the fit of the socket, and ensure the prosthesis works safely and effectively for your body.
Before a prosthesis can be made, the residual limb must reach a stable shape and be able to tolerate gentle pressure. During this phase, patients typically wear a shrinker sock to reduce swelling and shape the limb.
Your prosthetist will also perform a detailed evaluation, assessing the health of the limb, muscle strength, balance, mobility, and your personal goals. This information helps guide the design of your prosthesis and the selection of appropriate components.
Once the limb is ready, the prosthetist captures the shape of the residual limb using casting materials or digital measurement techniques.
These measurements allow the prosthetist to design a custom socket that matches the shape of your limb and distributes pressure safely and comfortably.
Because every limb is unique, this step is essential in creating a prosthesis that fits properly.
A temporary socket — often made from a clear plastic — is created so the prosthetist can evaluate the fit of the prosthesis.
During this appointment, the patient stands and walks with the test socket while the prosthetist evaluates comfort, pressure areas, and stability. Adjustments are made as needed to improve the fit.
This stage allows the prosthetist to refine the design before fabricating the final prosthesis.
Once the fit of the socket is confirmed, the final prosthesis is assembled.
During the fitting appointment, the prosthetist carefully aligns the prosthesis so that weight is distributed properly during standing and walking. Small adjustments are made while the patient walks to ensure the prosthesis feels stable, balanced, and natural.
Patients are also given instructions on wearing schedules, skin care, and follow-up visits to help ensure long-term comfort and success.
In prosthetic care, Medicare Functional Levels (K1–K4) help describe a person’s current or anticipated mobility. These classifications help guide prosthetic prescriptions, justify component selection, and inform insurance coverage. But in real-world practice, clinical reasoning, patient goals, and daily life demands are just as important as functional labels.
Below is a practical guide to each K-level — including typical mobility expectations, technology options, and suspension systems for below-knee (transtibial) and above-knee (transfemoral) amputees.
Walks primarily indoors on level surfaces. May use assistive devices. Limited endurance and variable balance.
Capable of walking indoors and outdoors on level terrain with limited environmental barriers. Navigates curbs and stairs with support.
Walks at variable cadence on indoor/outdoor terrain, including uneven surfaces, ramps, and stairs. Often employed or active in the community.
Engages in high-impact or athletic activity (e.g. running, sports, or heavy physical labor).
As you regain strength and confidence using your prosthesis, many everyday activities — and even new challenges — will become part of your routine again. Whether your goal is to walk longer distances, return to work, or simply feel steady on your feet, the path forward is built one step at a time.
You don’t need to aim for marathons. For many patients, a meaningful goal might be:
The important thing is that your prosthesis works for your life — not the other way around.
Your goals matter to us. If something changes, or if you’re ready to do more than your current setup allows, call us. We can help assess your prosthesis and adjust it — or even recommend more advanced components if appropriate.
You’re not just learning to walk — you’re learning what’s possible again. And we’re with you every step forward.
Some discomfort is common when you’re first getting used to your prosthesis — especially as your skin, muscles, and limb adjust to new pressure and movement. But persistent or worsening pain is not normal, and should never be ignored.
A well-fitting prosthesis should support your movement — not hold you back. You should never have to “tough it out” with pain that persists. We’re here to help make it right.
Your liner is one of the most important parts of your prosthetic system. It protects your skin, helps control the fit of the socket, and in some cases, helps suspend the prosthesis.
Proper use and cleaning of the liner is essential for comfort, hygiene, and avoiding skin issues.
Taking good care of your residual limb is essential for prosthetic comfort, skin health, and overall success with your prosthesis. Daily inspection and proper hygiene help prevent irritation, blisters, and breakdown — especially in the early weeks when your skin is adjusting to new pressure and movement.
• You see redness that lasts more than 30 minutes after removing the prosthesis
• You notice blisters, open areas, or rash
• You feel sharp, localized pain or have difficulty wearing the prosthesis comfortably
• Your liner isn’t fitting like it used to or shows signs of wear
This is a very common question — and the answer is: yes, in many cases you should continue to use your shrinker.
Even after you receive your prosthesis, your residual limb can still change in size throughout the day and over time — especially during the first year after amputation.
Wearing a shrinker at night or during breaks from prosthetic use can help:
You may be advised to wear your shrinker:
You might be told to stop using the shrinker temporarily if:
A good rule of thumb:
If your prosthesis is off for several hours, especially at night, using your shrinker can help maintain the fit and comfort of your socket the next day.
Your residual limb will continue to change shape and size — especially during the first year after amputation. These changes are called limb volume fluctuations, and they’re a normal part of healing and prosthetic use.
Most people experience a decrease in limb volume over the course of the day — especially after standing, walking, or being active in the prosthesis. That’s why your prosthesis may feel tight in the morning, then loose later on.
To help keep the socket fitting properly, you’ll use prosthetic socks of different thicknesses, called “ply.”
Using the correct sock ply helps maintain:
A socket that is too loose can cause friction, pistoning, and poor control.
A socket that is too tight can restrict circulation or cause pressure points.
Getting a prosthesis is just the beginning — the real success comes through ongoing adjustments, open communication, and follow-up care. Your limb, your needs, and your goals may change over time, and your prosthesis needs to change with you.
That’s why regular follow-up appointments are essential.
As you regain independence and return to daily routines, here are some practical tips to help you navigate life with your prosthesis — from travel to staying comfortable on the go.
Recommended options include:
Note: Always apply antiperspirants to clean, dry skin at night. Avoid applying immediately before wearing your liner. Stop use if irritation occurs and consult your prosthetist.
These simple adjustments help you stay comfortable, protect your limb, and maintain your routine — wherever life takes you.
Even with proper care, prosthetic liners and suspension sleeves wear out over time. Regular replacement is essential for maintaining a secure fit, protecting your skin, and ensuring overall comfort and function.
Most insurance plans allow for replacement of liners, sleeves, and socks every 6 months to 1 year, depending on medical necessity and wear. We’ll help guide the process and support documentation as needed.
Option 1: Contact Your Prosthetist
If you’re unsure whether something needs to be replaced — or if you’re having pain, discomfort, or skin issues — reach out to us first. We can evaluate your equipment and help determine what’s needed.
Option 2: Be Proactive — Take the Form to Your Doctor
Below you will find a link to our prescription form you can bring to your next doctor’s appointment. If you’ve already noticed signs of wear or discomfort, this is a simple way to stay ahead of potential issues.
Bring the following to your appointment:
Being proactive can help you avoid delays and ensure you have what you need to stay comfortable and mobile.
Whether you’re learning to wear your prosthesis, rebuilding strength, or adjusting to new routines, progress comes with time, patience, and the right support. Some days may feel challenging — but you’re not doing this alone.
We’re here to guide, adjust, listen, and walk alongside you through each stage of this process. As your goals evolve, we’ll adapt the care and tools to match — because your independence, comfort, and confidence matter to us.
You’ve already taken the first steps. Let’s keep moving forward — one goal at a time.
“They didn’t just fit me with a prosthesis—they stuck with me through the hard parts. I always felt like someone had my back.”
- Michael
Ready to improve your mobility, confidence, and independence? Explore our services or reach out to our team for personalized solutions that fit your unique needs.
