6 Common Myths About Prosthetics

If you have lost one of your limbs due to an accident or disease, you may struggle to complete the most basic tasks. You may feel dependent on others and have difficulty living a longer life. The good news is that you may be able to get prosthetic limbs.

Here are a few common myths about prosthetics that you should not believe.

Prosthetics Are Uncomfortable

Some people are reluctant to get fitted for prosthetics because they assume they will be in discomfort. However, as long as prosthetics are fitted properly by a trained professional, they should not feel uncomfortable at all. Although it may take time to get used to the prosthetics, you should be able to perform normal activities with ease.

Prosthetics Last Forever

This is another common myth about prosthetic limbs. The truth is that you will have to replace your prosthetic limb multiple times throughout your life. After all, your body can change a lot over the years. For example, you might gain weight or lose bone mass. When this occurs, you may need to get fitted for a new prosthetic limb.

One Size Fits All

Some people are under the impression that all prosthetics fit everyone the same. This is just not true. Patients comes in very different sizes and shapes, so it stands to reason that they will need different sized prosthetics.

Prosthetics Require Constant Medical Care

Another common misconception about prosthetics is that they need frequent medical care. There have been many advancements in prosthetics over the years, so you might not need much medical intervention at all.

Prosthetics Are Not Affordable

This is one of the most common reasons why some amputees shy away from prosthetics. At first, it might seem like getting prosthetics is astronomically expensive. However, you may be pleased to find out that some prosthetics can be very affordable. Some health insurance companies may even cover the cost of prosthetics.

Test Fitting Is Not Needed

This could not be further from the truth. As mentioned above, prosthetics do not fit everyone the same. As such, it is critical to get a test fitting before purchasing a prosthetic limb.

As you can see, there are a lot of different misunderstandings about prosthetics. If you have a missing limb, you may be a great candidate for prosthetics. Schedule an appointment with an orthopedist to talk about the medical device in further detail. 

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