Part 4 of 5 in Your First Year with a Prosthesis, a series with Bethany Nelson, PT.
Exercises, extras to ask for, and finding community.
While therapy sessions provide guidance and monitoring, most recovery progress happens during everyday life at home. Consistency is one of the most important factors in improving mobility.
Gradually phasing out the wheelchair
Once safe walking with a walker has been achieved, Bethany recommends gradually reducing wheelchair use. A typical progression might look like this:
- Week 1: 25% walking, 75% wheelchair
- Week 2: 50% walking, 50% wheelchair
- Week 3: 75% walking, 25% wheelchair
- Week 4: Full daytime prosthetic use
At this stage, the wheelchair may still be used at night or during early morning routines.
Maintaining a home exercise routine
A consistent home exercise program plays a critical role in improving balance, endurance, and walking quality. Most programs focus on three key areas:
- Gluteal strengthening, which helps stabilise the prosthetic limb
- Core strengthening, which supports posture and reduces back pain
- Hip flexor stretching, which counteracts tightness from prolonged sitting
Performing these exercises regularly helps the body adapt more quickly to prosthetic movement.
Things to ask your prosthetist about
Bethany encourages patients to ask their prosthetist about additional options that may support daily activities. These may include:
- A shower leg, which can be created using an older socket with a simple pylon and rubber foot to allow safe transfers in and out of the shower.
- A rotator, a device that allows the prosthetic leg to rotate so the foot can rest on the opposite thigh when sitting, making it easier to put on socks, shoes, and clothing.
- Running blades, which are specialised prostheses designed for running and other athletic activities. Some manufacturers offer scholarship programs to help make these devices more accessible.
The role of community in recovery
Bethany strongly encourages amputees to connect with support groups during their recovery. Adjusting to life with a prosthesis is not only a physical process but also an emotional one, and speaking with others who have gone through similar experiences can make the journey much easier.
The most helpful support groups focus on what people can do, rather than what they have lost. Members often share practical ideas, tools, and small adaptations that make everyday activities easier. These real-life tips can be just as valuable as clinical guidance.
Over time, many new amputees who once came to learn eventually become the ones offering advice and encouragement to others beginning the same journey.
Final thoughts: patience and progress
Adapting to a prosthesis is a gradual process measured in months rather than days. There will be moments when the socket feels uncomfortable, when endurance feels limited, or when progress seems slow. These experiences are not signs of failure — they are natural parts of physical and neurological adaptation.
With consistent practice, open communication with the care team, and patience with the process, the prosthesis gradually shifts from feeling like a tool to becoming a natural extension of the body.
As Bethany often reminds her patients: “Be patient. Go with the progress. And be kind to yourself through the journey.”