Caring for your stump: The essentials

Maintaining a healthy stump is very important when it comes to making sure you stay mobile. Here’s how to take good care of yours.

Wearing a prosthesis can have a profound effect on the health of a stump, its muscles, and its skin. It goes without saying that a comfortable and well-fitting socket is a preliminary requirement. In some cases, an interface is used between the stump and the lining of the socket to reduce friction.

Keeping the skin clean and dry is the first rule of stump care. Wash your stump regularly with warm water using ordinary (non-perfumed) soap. Hibiscrub Liquid (an antiseptic cleaning liquid) is useful as a soap once a week, or daily if the skin is damaged.

Skin should be dried carefully with a clean towel. Do not use talcum powder or spirit. A moisturising cream like E45 or Aqueous Cream can be used if your skin is dry, but only at night or when you are not going to wear your prosthesis.

Some skin types are more prone to perspiration. Washing more than once a day would then be advisable. A suitable antiperspirant, such as Driclor, may help. Only apply it when you are not wearing your prosthesis. It is also best to avoid chemicals on your stump when you are wearing a prosthesis. As well as keeping your skin clean, you must keep the interface (socket, socks etc) clean by washing them regularly. The manufacturer’s washing instructions should be followed.

The socket must also be cleaned regularly, preferably on a daily basis. Periodic use of antiseptics like Hibiscrub is good practice for both the interface and the socket. It is important to remove any residual cleaning/antiseptic material before using the prosthesis again.