Updated 10/

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Introduction

Prosthetic components are generally not reused in the United States because of legal considerations. However, if in good condition they can often be donated to charitable organizations that provide international outreach.

General Guidelines

This document provides general guidance for donating your used prosthetic components, which may differ from the criteria set by the charitable organization receiving your donation. It is best to check the organization&#;s website before shipping your donated supplies. While most of these organizations make every effort to prevent waste, there are some items that are just not recyclable or reusable. In order to prevent the wasted expense of shipping unusable items and to ensure your donations are suitable for another person to use, please follow these general guidelines:

• DO NOT &#; donate components that are damaged, rusted, or are missing parts. If a donation contains a broken or missing part (that you cannot replace or remove) please identify this part before donating.
• DO NOT &#; donate prosthetic sockets, as these cannot be recycled or repurposed. If possible, please remove (or ask a prosthetist to remove) the socket prior to donating.
• DO NOT &#; donate any used soft goods (i.e. socks, liners, sleeves, or shrinkers). Typically only new soft goods meet sanitation standards.
• DO NOT &#; donate other durable medical equipment such as walkers, crutches, wheelchairs, or canes. Shoes are also typically not accepted.
• DO NOT &#; donate medical supplies of any kind (i.e. post-amputation bandages or limb protectors). If these items are requested, please ensure they are unopened and in their original packaging.

Charitable Organizations

The following organizations accept donations of used prosthetic limbs, components, and supplies. Prior to donating, please review the guidelines set by the organization to ensure your donation meets their standards.

Limbs for Life Foundation | http://www.limbsforlife.org
For further information regarding a donation visit their website, call their office toll free at 1-888-235-, or . Cost of shipping is not covered by Limbs for Life. Donations can be shipped directly to:

Limbs For Life
N. May Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK

Penta Medical Recycling | http://www.pentaprosthetics.org
Penta covers the cost of shipping. Please visit their website to create a prepaid shipping label to donate your prosthetic equipment. If you have questions about their process, .

Prosthetic Hope International | http://www.prosthetichope.org
Prior to shipping your donation, visit their website to complete a donation form. The Prosthetic and Orthotic Component Clearinghouse (P.O.C.C.) does not cover the cost of shipping. Donations can be shipped directly to:

P&O Clearinghose c/o Rob
Briarwood Ct. NE
Atlanta, GA

Range of Motion Project (ROMP) | http://www.rompglobal.org
The Components for a Cause Program collects new or gently-used prosthetic components to be used in their permanent clinical operations in Guatemala and Ecuador. You can either visit their website to create a pre-paid shipping label or choose to generously cover the shipping cost to ship directly to:

ROMP
S Acoma St
Denver, CO

Check with Local Prosthetic Facilities

Some prosthetic facilities have established partnerships with the charitable organizations listed above and have been established as drop off locations for collection, dissasembly, cleaning and redistribution. You can contact a local facility to inquire about whether they are or know of a prosthetic donation program in the area. You can also contact the Amputee Coalition for assistance with finding a prosthetic facility near you by calling 888-267-.

It is not the intention of the Amputee Coalition to provide specific medical or legal advice but rather to provide consumers with information to better understand their health and healthcare issues. The Amputee Coalition does not endorse any specific treatment, technology, company, service or device. Consumers are urged to consult with their healthcare providers for specific medical advice or before making any purchasing decisions involving their care.

© Amputee Coalition. Local reproduction for use by Amputee Coalition constituents is permitted as long as this copyright information is included. Organizations or individuals wishing to reprint this article in other publications, including other websites must contact the Amputee Coalition for permission to do so, by emailing a request to .

What You Should Know Before Getting a Prosthetic Leg

Prosthetic legs, or prostheses, can help people with leg amputations get around more easily. They mimic the function and, sometimes, even the appearance of a real leg. Some people still need a cane, walker or crutches to walk with a prosthetic leg, while others can walk freely.

If you have a lower limb amputation, or you will soon, a prosthetic leg is probably an option you&#;re thinking about. There are a few considerations you should take into account first. 

Not Everyone Benefits from a Prosthetic Leg

While many people with limb loss do well with their prosthetic legs, not everyone is a good candidate for a leg prosthesis. A few questions you may want to discuss with your doctor before opting for a prosthetic leg include:

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• Is there enough soft tissue to cushion the remaining bone?
• How much pain are you in?
• What is the condition of the skin on the limb?
• How much range of motion does the residual limb have?
• Is the other leg healthy?
• What was your activity level before the amputation?
• What are your mobility goals?

The type of amputation (above or below the knee) can also affect your decision. It&#;s generally easier to use a below-the-knee prosthetic leg than an above-the-knee prosthesis. If the knee joint is intact, the prosthetic leg takes much less effort to move and allows for more mobility.

The reason behind the amputation is also a factor, as it may impact the health of the residual limb. Your physical health and lifestyle are also important to consider. If you were not very active and lost your leg due to peripheral vascular disease or diabetes, for example, you will struggle more with a prosthesis than someone who was extremely active but lost a limb in a car accident.

When it comes to amputation, each person is unique. The decision to move forward with a prosthesis should be a collaborative one between you and your doctor.

Prosthetic Legs Are Not One Size Fits All

If your doctor prescribes a prosthetic leg, you might not know where to begin. It helps to understand how different parts of a prosthesis work together:

• The prosthetic leg itself is made of lightweight yet durable materials. Depending on the location of the amputation, the leg may or may not feature functional knee and ankle joints.
• The socket is a precise mold of your residual limb that fits snugly over the limb. It helps attach the prosthetic leg to your body.
• The suspension system is how the prosthesis stays attached, whether through sleeve suction, vacuum suspension/suction or distal locking through pin or lanyard.

There are numerous options for each of the above components, each with their own pros and cons. &#;To get the right type and fit, it&#;s important to work closely with your prosthetist &#; a relationship you might have for life.

A prosthetist is a health care professional who specializes in prosthetic limbs and can help you select the right components. You&#;ll have frequent appointments, especially in the beginning, so it&#;s important to feel comfortable with the prosthetist you choose.

Rehabilitation Is an Ongoing, Collaborative Process

Once you&#;ve selected your prosthetic leg components, you will need rehabilitation to strengthen your legs, arms and cardiovascular system, as you learn to walk with your new limb. You&#;ll work closely with rehabilitation physicians, physical therapists and occupational therapists to develop a rehabilitation plan based on your mobility goals. A big part of this plan is to keep your healthy leg in good shape: while prosthetic technology is always advancing, nothing can replicate a healthy leg. 

Getting Used to a Prosthetic Leg Isn&#;t Easy

Learning to get around with a prosthetic leg can be a challenge. Even after initial rehabilitation is over, you might experience some issues that your prosthetist and rehabilitation team can help you manage. Common obstacles include:

• Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), which can affect the fit of the prosthesis and lead to skin issues.
• Changing residual limb shape. This usually occurs in the first year after an amputation as the tissue settles into its more permanent shape, and may affect the fit of the socket.
• Weakness in the residual limb, which may make it difficult to use the prosthesis for long periods of time.
• Phantom limb pain could be intense enough to impact your ability to use the prosthesis.

A Note on Phantom Limb Pain

Phantom limb pain, or pain that seems to come from the amputated limb, is a very real problem that you may face after an amputation. About 80% of people with amputations experience phantom limb pain that has no clear cause, although pain in the limb before amputation may be a risk factor.

Mirror therapy, where you perform exercises with a mirror, may help with certain types of phantom limb pain. Looking at yourself in the mirror simulates the presence of the amputated leg, which can trick the brain into thinking it&#;s still there and stop the pain.

In other cases, phantom limb pain might stem from another condition affecting the residual limb, such as sciatica or neuroma. Addressing these root causes can help eliminate the phantom pain.

Your Leg Prosthesis Needs May Change

At some point, you may notice that you aren&#;t as functional as you&#;d like to be with your current leg prosthesis. Maybe your residual limb has stabilized and you&#;re ready to transition from a temporary prosthesis that lasts a few months to one that can last three to five years. Or maybe you&#;ve &#;outwalked&#; your prosthesis by moving more or differently than the prosthesis is designed for. New pain, discomfort and lack of stability are some of the signs that it may be time to check in with your prosthetist to reevaluate your needs.

Your prosthetist might recommend adjusting your current equipment or replacing one of the components. Or you might get a prescription for a new prosthetic leg, which happens on average every three to five years. If you receive new components, it&#;s important to take the time to understand how they work. Physical therapy can help adjust to the new components or your new prosthetic leg.

Prosthetic Leg Technology Is Always Evolving

There are always new developments in prosthetic limb technology, such as microprocessor-driven and activity-specific components.

• Microprocessor joints feature computer chips and sensors to provide a more natural gait. They may even have different modes for walking on flat surfaces or up and down the stairs.
• There are also specialized prosthetic legs for different activities, such as running, showering or swimming, which you can switch to as needed. In some cases, your everyday prosthetic leg can be modified by your prosthetist to serve different purposes.
• Osseointegration surgery is another option. This procedure involves the insertion of a metal implant directly into the bone, so there is no need for a socket. The prosthetic leg then attaches directly to that implant. While this procedure is not right for everyone and is still under study, it can provide improved range of motion and sensory perception.

It&#;s important to remember that you&#;re not alone in navigating the many different prosthetic leg options. Your care team will help you weigh the pros and cons of each and decide on the ideal prosthetic leg that matches your lifestyle.

Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Amputee Rehabilitation Program

Having the support of a dedicated team of experts is essential when recovering from the amputation of a limb. At Johns Hopkins, our team of physiatrists, orthotists, prosthetists, physical and occupational therapists, rehabilitation psychologists and other specialists works together to create your custom rehabilitation plan.

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