Lower Limb Prosthetics Information

How to Put on Your Lower Limb Prosthetics (Liners & Socks)

If liners…

• Turn liner inside out.
• Place the end of the liner on the end of the limb and roll up leg, remembering to not let air get trapped in liner.
• Below knee — liner will pass over knee to mid-thigh.
• Above knee — liner will pass over mid-thigh and continue to the groin area.
• If pin suspension is used, remember to align the pin properly as you roll up the liner.

If socks…

• Slide sock on over liner.
• Make sure NO wrinkles are in sock.
• Wrinkles can cause extra pressure on limb which can cause skin breakdown or irritation.
• Socks should go past the top of the liner.

Wearing Schedule

Just like a new pair of shoes, a liner has a breaking-in period. Use the following wearing guidelines to allow the body to adapt to the use of the liner gradually.

The following guidelines may be altered by your prosthetist. Please check with them for additional wearing schedule restrictions.

If any skin irritation occurs after wearing the liner, please discontinue use of liner and call your prosthetist.

Step 1: On day 1, wear liner for one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening. If no skin irritation occurs, continue to step 2.

Step 2: On day 2, wear liner for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening. If no skin irritation occurs, continue to step 3.

Step 3: On day 3, wear liner for three hours in the morning and three hours in the evening. If no skin irritation occurs, continue to step 4.

Step 4: On day 4, wear liner for four hours in the morning and four hours in the evening. If no skin irritation occurs, continue to step 5.

Step 5: Continue to full day use.

Please contact your Ability prosthetist to schedule an appointment for an adjustment if any redness that doesn’t disappear within 20 minutes of taking off the liner or if blistering has occurred. Please discontinue the use of the liner until seen by your prosthetist.

Wear socks as needed. Be careful to not wear too many socks or not enough. Both can cause serious issues.

Orthotic Device Cleaning and Maintenance

• Wash liner inside out, with the use of a mild, non-allergenic soap and warm water. Do not use bleach, or soaps with perfumes, lotions, or deodorants. Blot dry with a towel and hang to dry overnight.
• After washing liner inside, hang liner right side out to dry on a drying stand. (Fabric side out)
• Be sure to check liner for signs of liner damage, inside and out. If damage is found, make an appointment with your prosthetist.
• Socks are machine washable with a mild detergent and air dry or spin dry in dryer. Do not use heat or socks will shrink.

Important Information

Take the following precautions with your Lower Limb Prosthetics:

• Remember to wear shrinker when not wearing the liner.
• Make sure liner is clean and dry and no debris is on the inside of the liner when put on leg.
• If there is, this can cause skin irritation and possibly skin breakdown. If the liner doesn’t contact the end of your limb, and there is space or air, this can cause skin breakdown and form suction blisters on the end of the limb.
• Never store liner next to a heater, this may cause liner to melt and deform.