Using a Cane with Your Prosthesis

Learning to walk with your prosthesis takes practice. To prevent falls, you may need a cane for balance and support. Work with your physical therapist and prosthetist (an expert who makes and fits your prosthesis). They'll teach you how to use the cane properly. Follow all instructions from the physical therapist and prosthetist closely.

Walking with a Cane

• Hold the cane on the side of your intact limb (unless told otherwise by your healthcare team).
  
• Put your weight on your intact limb and find your balance.
  
• Move the cane and the prosthetic limb forward at the same time.
  
• Support your weight on both the cane and your prosthesis.
  
• Step through with your intact limb.
  
• Put your weight on your intact limb and take the next step, using the cane and your prosthesis.
  
  

  When climbing stairs, always lead with your intact limb.

Using Steps

• If there is a railing, hold on to it with your free hand.
  
• Step up with your intact limb first.
  
• Then move the cane and prosthetic limb together to the same step as your intact limb.
  
• To walk down steps, hold the railing with your free hand.
  
• Step down with your prosthetic limb and the cane first.
  
• Then follow with your intact limb to the same step.
  

Note: Consult with your physical therapist and prosthetist to learn how to handle steps without railings.

Using Crutches After Lower Limb Amputation

As you become mobile again after amputation surgery, you'll need to use a walking aid to get around. Walking aids help prevent falls, which can seriously damage your wound. At first, you'll likely use a wheelchair. Once your wound heals, you may begin using crutches. A physical therapist will teach you how to use crutches safely. Follow all instructions from the physical therapist closely.

Walking with Crutches

There are two types of crutches: forearm and underarm. You and your physical therapist will decide which type will work best for you.

Caption: For safety, hold the handgrips securely when using forearm crutches.

• As you're standing, start with the crutches about 12 inches in front of your body.
  
• Press down on the handgrips. Support your weight on your hands, no matter which type of crutches you're using.
  
• If using underarm crutches, position the pads of crutches against the sides of your chest. (Don't press the pads into your underarms.)
  
• Lift your intact limb and gently swing your foot forward.
  
• Land your foot in between the crutches, keeping your knee slightly bent.
  
• Transfer your weight back to your foot.
  
• Reach forward with the crutches to take the next step.
  

Moving Through Doorways

• To push a door open, stand sideways. Push the door open with your body. Plant the tip of the nearest crutch inside the doorway to act as a doorstop. Keep the crutch in place to hold the door open as you pass through.
  
• To pull a door open, stand to the side. Get your balance and pull the door fully open with one hand. Plant the tip of the nearest crutch inside the door to act as a doorstop. Keep the crutch close to the door to hold it open as you pass through.
  

Note: Avoid revolving doors while using crutches.

Sitting Down

• Position yourself in front of the chair, keeping your residual limb slightly forward.
  
• Hold both crutches in one hand, on the side of your residual limb.
  
• Grasp the armrest or side of the chair with your free hand.
  
• Lower yourself onto the front of the chair, then slide back.
  
• To get up, reverse the steps above.
  

Note: Look for sturdy chairs with solid arms. If you use a chair that swivels or has wheels, back it against something stable before sitting.

Crutches and Steps

Climbing and descending steps or stairs with crutches after leg amputation requires special care. Consult your physical therapist for instructions and safety tips.

Preventing Falls: Moving Safely Outside Cedar Hill

Preventing Falls

 Moving safely outside your home can be a challenge. Take care when walking up and down stairs and curbs. And be sure to wear sturdy, comfortable shoes and pay attention to where you step. Here are more tips to keep you from falling.

When stepping off a curb with a walker, lower the walker onto the street first, then step off the curb.

Using Curbs and Stairs

Curbs, steps, or uneven pavement can trip you. Take care when near them.

• Check the height of a curb before stepping up or down. Be careful with uneven and cut-out sections of curbs.
  
• Don't rush when crossing the street. Watch for changes in pavement height.
  
• On stairs, grasp the handrail and take one step at a time. If you ever feel dizzy on stairs, sit down until you feel better.
  

Wearing Shoes That Keep You Safe

When you shop for shoes, keep these things in mind:

• Choose shoes with rubber or nonskid soles. Athletic shoes are a good choice.
  
• Choose flats or shoes with low heels. Avoid high heels or platforms.
  
• All footwear should be sturdy and well-fitting. Don't wear flip-flops or backless shoes or slippers.
  
• Don't walk around in stocking feet. Shoes are your safest bet, even when indoors. If you like, keep one pair of shoes just for indoors.
  

Treatment for Back & Neck

Some common conditions, such as herniated discs or pinched nerves due to bone spurs, may ultimately require surgery. In those cases, Stephen Ozanne, MD, FAAOS, may perform one of the following minimally invasive spine surgery procedures:

• Microdiscectomy for herniated disc
• Microscopic decompression for spinal stenosis (hemilaminotomy/foraminotomy, partial laminectomy sparing midline structures)
• Anterior cervical discectomy & fusion for herniated disc & stenosis
• Lumbar fusion for spondylolisthesis

Although Dr. Ozanne is an exceptional surgeon, most of his treatment focuses on nonsurgical options. He spends plenty of time with patients. His mission is to provide compassionate, quality, state-of-the-art spine care and his goal is making life better, one back at a time.

Spine Surgical Solutions TX

Dr. Ozanne is also board-certified in orthopedic surgery and concentrates his practice on comprehensive spine treatment. Dr. Ozanne’s expertise includes all common surgical problems in the neck and low back. Surgical evaluation and treatment options at Cedar Hill Spine are designed to help people with:

• Cervical spine/neck pain
• Cervical stenosis
• Cervical myelopathy
• Herniated discs
• Lumbar surgery/low back
• Isthmic spondylolisthesis
• Degenerative spondylolisthesis
• Spinal stenosis
• Back muscle spasms
• Sciatica pain
• Pinched nerves
• Shoulder and neck pain

Nonsurgical Solutions Cedar Hill, TX

Our primary goal of treatment is to get you back to your everyday activities as quickly and safely as possible. During your initial visit, Dr. Ozanne will assess your medical history and collect more specific information. He may gently move your joints and limbs to better understand your back or neck problem. He may also use X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, pain-relieving injections or myelograms for diagnosis.

Years ago, doctors treated back pain with bed rest and heavy drugs. Patients became sedentary and increasingly dependent on drugs. It has since been discovered that this treatment was actually damaging the back because it weakened muscles and caused more pain, making recovery more difficult.