Prosthetics are replacements for any part of the body that is missing, whether through accident or medical amputation. Prosthetics can be used to replace most limbs, or eyes. Prosthetics are often called artificial limbs.

Patients become qualified for prosthetic devices at different times. Some will be ready almost immediately after they've completed post-surgical healing, but healing may vary from person to person. Some medical conditions, such as diabetes, extend the amount of time needed for a patient to recover. Your doctor can assess you for readiness at your surgical follow up appointments.

The limb needs to be cast and compressed to start the process. The comparison device, sometimes called a shrinker is applied to the remaining portion of the limb. It helps to shape the skin and tissue in a way that makes it easier to get a secure socket fit. The casting process isn't too much different from getting a regular cast, but the end result is something similar to a dental impression. This cast is what is used to create a perfectly customized socket.

Your prosthesis will work closely with you, considering your medical needs. A lot of measurements will be taken, and a lot of adjustments will be made, Getting the prosthesis perfect is an ongoing process, and you may require several fittings before you wind up with the ideal long-term limb. You'll work with your prosthesis to learn how to best use your prosthesis, and this process shapes the fitting an adjustment process.

The vast majority of amputees will qualify for a prosthetic device. Depending on the nature of the amputation and the physical abilities of the patient, fitting a useful prosthetic device may be more difficult. Difficult does not mean impossible, so it never hurts to speak with an experienced and qualified prosthetist if you have questions about your unique situation.

K-levels are a rating system used by Medicare to indicate a person's rehabilitation potential. The system is a rating from 0 through 4 and it indicates a person's potential to use a prosthetic device if they had a device that worked well for them and they completed rehabilitation to use the device properly.