Pediatric Lower Extremity

Infants who are born with a missing or partial limb, or children who lose a limb through injury or amputation, should be evaluated by a prosthetist as soon as possible. Often it isappropriate for infants and very young children to be fit with a passive prosthesis right away so that the prosthetic limb is incorporated into their developing body image. Thismcan also help children socially as they begin interacting with their peers.

Prosthetic patients from infants to about 18 years old may require a new socket and other prosthetic modifications at least once a year and should be evaluated by their practitioner every three to six months.

One of the ways Hanger has made the fitting process easier for pediatric patients is with Insignia™, our three-dimensional laser scanning system. Insignia™ makes it easy to measure and fit pediatric patients for a prosthetic socket, brace or support. With a hand-held scanner and a computer, your practitioner can capture and store 3-D images of the effected area and then use these to make the socket. Insignia™ images are exact to within one millimeter and the scanning process is quick, easy and painless. There may be some circumstances where your practitioner prefers to do a traditional cast of the effected area using plaster or another malleable material.

Physical Therapy for Pediatric Lower Extremity Users

Babies and children tend to be more adaptable than adults when it comes to wearing a prosthesis. Infants born with an absent or partially formed limb are usually fit with a prosthesis when they begin to pull up and stand, which is about six to eight months of age. Children should begin physical therapy and be fit with a prosthesis as soon as possible.

It is important to work with a physical/occupational therapist who specializes in children and their developmental stages. Most children adapt naturally to their prosthesis, especially if they have been wearing it since the age of six or eight months. Therapy for preschool age children is often presented as games or free playing.

Consult your prosthetist for their recommendation for an experienced pediatric lower extremity therapist.