Here at Tierney Orthotics and Prosthetics, we want to help you do what’s best for your child. If your child has suffered a limb loss or has a congenital amputation, part of their medical care will likely include pediatric prosthetics. In this article, our team will go over some key things you need to know about prosthetics for your child so that you can help them stay happy and healthy as they grow up.
- Your Child Will Outgrow Them- The biggest difference between prosthetics for adults and those for children is that as children grow, they will need to replace their current prosthetic. In many ways, it’s no different than outgrowing a pair of shoes, but in other ways it is more serious, as your child’s prosthetic needs to fit them properly in order to support their mobility, function, and growth. Our team has extensive experience working with pediatric prosthetics, and you can count on us to make sure that your child is always properly equipped.
- It Takes Time and Training to Learn to Use Them- As with other prosthetics, it takes time and instruction to learn to wear and use pediatric prosthetics. To ensure that your child is able to gain maximum functionality with their prosthesis, our team will work with both child and guardian, teaching them how to don, doff, and care for the prosthesis. We’ll also teach you how to recognize signs of poor fit so that you can get it adjusted promptly.
- Peer Support is Invaluable- Lastly, if your child is fitted with one or more pediatric prosthetics, we highly encourage you to seek out support groups for parents and kids in the same situation. Being able to socialize with other kids with prosthetic limbs will help your child find the confidence and peer support they need to thrive, and being able to talk to other parents in your same boat will do the same for you.