Care for your Prosthesis

Liner Care

If you have a prosthetic liner you should wash it on a daily basis. Ensuring the soap/detergent you use is non-abrasive, mild and no fragrance. These substances and harsh detergents and chemicals can slowly eat away at the silicone or gel and reduce the life of your liner.

There are a few ways you can clean your liner:

• Option 1: invert your silicone liner and using a damp cloth with a mild detergent, gently wipe it out.
• Option 2: with your liner the right way out, use warm, soapy water to fill the inside. Swirl around the liner and tip out the water. These first two methods are good for mid-week cleans when the external fabric of the liner is in clean condition
• Option 3: you can completely submerge your liner in warm, soapy water to deep clean the outer layer of protective fabric as it is required.

NOTE: Make sure to remove any grit, skin or fluff from the inside of your liner, as this can cause both skin irritation/rubs or reduce the effectiveness of the suspension of the liner.

It is important in all methods to rinse out the liner with clean water (no soap) to remove any soapy residue as this can cause skin irritation/contact dermatitis.

To dry your liner:

Pat dry with a microfibre towel (or other no-fluff towel such as a chamois) and/or leave it overnight (hanging upside down and right way out) to dry completely.

If you have been provided with two liners, you can wash one and wear the other while it dries.

Never put your liner in a washing machine or clothes dryer, as it may damage or even destroy it. Your liner’s warranty will not be applicable if used in this way and damage is caused.

Socket Care

Upper Limb (UL) users: Your socket should be cleaned weekly. Simply wipe it with a damp cloth and a mild detergent and dry it thoroughly before you put it back on. You should regularly clean the hand and/or cosmetic glove.

Trans-tibial (TT) users: Your socket should be cleaned weekly. Simply wipe it with a damp cloth and a mild detergent and dry it thoroughly before you put it back on.

Trans-femoral (TF) Users: Your socket should be cleaned daily. Wipe your socket with a damp cloth and a mild detergent and dry it thoroughly before you put it back on.
It is not necessary to use an antiseptic to clean your prosthesis. DO NOT use Dettol or other solvents to clean your socket or liner.

Prosthetic Components

DO NOT clean any of your prosthetic components, as they have very specific maintenance requirements, which should only be carried out by your Prosthetist. If you are concerned about any of your components, please contact us.