Interim Prosthetic Care

Interim prosthetic care with the occupational therapist addresses skills such as:

• Donning (putting on) and doffing (taking off) the prosthesis
• Wear schedule, skin hygiene, basic care and maintenance of prosthetic components and accessories
• Controls training: the process of learning basic prosthetic operation such as opening and closing the terminal device at various speeds, the operation of the wrist, flexing and extending the elbow, and the operation of the shoulder
• Repetitive drills: manipulating objects of various sizes, shapes, weights and densities while sitting, standing and walking
• Pre-positioning the terminal device to facilitate grasp
• Pre-positioning the terminal device in order to decrease compensatory movements
• Engaging in basic "activities of daily living" such as eating, dressing, toileting, bathing, grooming and writing

This phase also includes adjustments to the alignment and controls of the prosthesis, and modifications to the shape of the interface or socket.  The patient, prosthetist and therapist work together to quickly resolve any prosthetic and therapeutic issues, maintaining steady progress toward the patient's functional goals.