To prevent your muscles from tightening or shortening, your therapist will show you how to do the following positions and exercises:
Positions to do
Position 1
This position prevents the hip muscles from tightening and helps the prosthesis to fit better:
- Lie on your back with your legs straight and in line with your hips.
- Roll up a towel and put it on the outside of your limb to prevent it from moving out to the side.
- Do this for 5 to 10 minutes several times each day.
If you are doing this in the hospital, fully flatten the bed and remove the pillows from behind your back.
Position 2
Put your limb on a chair or on an amputee board to prevent knee tightness and swelling.
Position 3
To stretch your hips:
- Lie on your stomach with your legs straight.
- Don’t put a pillow under your hips, head, or shoulders. Try to keep your hips flat against the bed.
- Do this for 5 to 10 minutes several times each day.
Positions to avoid
Don’t put pillows under your hip, leg, or lower back when lying on your back.
Don’t lie on your back with the residual limb pointed out to the side.
Don’t hang your leg down. If you have a below-the-knee amputation, use an amputee board to keep the limb straight.
