Residual Limb Shaping Protocols for Doctors: Shrinkers, RRD, and Timing

Every successful prosthetic fitting begins long before the first socket is made. It begins with how well the residual limb heals, shapes, and adapts after amputation. The smoother that process, the better the comfort, control, and long-term function of the final prosthesis. For doctors, shaping the residual limb is not just about applying compression—it’s a […]
Post-Op Day 0–14: Doctor Checklist for Edema Control and Prosthetic Readiness

The first two weeks after an amputation define how the rest of recovery unfolds.This short yet crucial window—post-op day 0 to 14—is when the groundwork for healing, edema control, and future prosthetic readiness is laid. For physicians, this period is more than routine wound monitoring.It’s when the right actions can prevent complications, shape the residual […]
Discharge Readiness to First Fit: A Physician’s Timeline for Prosthetic Initiation

Every patient who undergoes an amputation dreams of one thing above all else—to stand again. For physicians, the path to that moment is both medical and emotional. It begins long before the prosthesis is fitted and continues well beyond hospital discharge. Between the day of surgery and the first prosthetic fitting lies a delicate window […]
IPOP vs EPOP: How Surgeons Should Time the First Prosthetic Order

Every amputation changes a person’s life forever. As surgeons, you don’t just remove a limb—you reshape how that person will move, work, and live from that day onward. And one of the most defining choices you make after surgery is when to begin prosthetic fitting. This question—whether to start immediately with an IPOP (Immediate Post-Operative […]
Early Prosthetic Prescription After Amputation: A Clinician’s Quick-Start Guide
The days right after an amputation are filled with questions—both for patients and for the clinicians who guide them. One of the biggest is, when should we start thinking about a prosthesis? In the past, many believed it was best to wait—let the wound heal completely, let the patient adjust emotionally, and only then begin […]