Putting the leg on properly
Most walking problems start with a leg put on badly. Roll the liner on without wrinkles or trapped air, use the number of socks you were shown, and make sure the leg is fully on before standing: with a pin lock, listen for the clicks; with a sleeve, check it is smooth. Sit down to put the leg on, never on one leg.
The first days: short and often
Wear the leg for an hour or two at a time at first, then take it off and check the skin. Increase the time a little each day. Practise at home, holding a counter or using a frame, before you go outdoors. Tiredness is normal; sharp pain is not.
Equal steps and an upright body
New users often take a long step with the artificial leg and a short one with the sound leg, or lean over the artificial side. Aim for equal steps and an upright body, with your weight going fully onto the artificial leg. A mirror at the end of a hallway helps you see what you are doing.
Turning, chairs and the toilet
Turn in small steps rather than pivoting on the artificial foot. To sit, back up until you feel the chair behind both legs, reach for the armrests and lower yourself. A raised toilet seat or a commode frame makes the bathroom safer in the first months.
Stairs, slopes and kerbs
Go up stairs with the sound leg first, then bring the artificial leg up; come down with the artificial leg first. Always hold a rail. On steep slopes, walking slightly sideways can feel safer. Treat a kerb like a single stair. With practice and the right knee or foot, many users progress beyond these rules.
If you fall
Everyone falls sometimes. Try to land on your side rather than your hands. To get up, roll onto your knees, crawl to a sturdy chair, put your hands on the seat and push up with the sound leg. If you are hurt, or the leg is damaged, call for help and call us. See gait training.