The winter season poses a unique set of challenges for prosthetic users—particularly those with lower limb devices: as winter conditions can make walking potentially hazardous. And since winter lasts a quarter of the year, with winter weather often creeping into the fall and spring seasons as well, it’s important to be ready to meet the unique challenges of the season so that you can maintain your lifestyle safely and comfortably all year long.

3 Winter Hazards for Users of Lower Limb Prosthetics

1. Slick Walking Surfaces

For wide swaths of the country, including in Kentucky, Indiana, and North Carolina, winter weather can create slippery and unsafe walking conditions. Snow, ice, and rain can all make a walkway slick and increase a prosthetic user’s chance of falling.

• Solutions: To combat these less-than-ideal conditions in winter, take extra precautions when venturing outdoors. Start with winter-appropriate footwear with good traction. When outside, be extra observant of those environmental factors that could cause a fall and try to keep your hands free just in case. You may also want to utilize support devices for additional security, whether that be a cane for personal use or simply reaching out to use a nearby handrail. A good pair of gloves with grip is a great addition to anyone’s winter kit.

2. Painful Joints

The cold of winter can have a physical effect on your body, and for some users of lower limb prosthetics, that translates into joint pain. Seasonal changes can also affect the fit of a lower limb prosthetic, as one’s joints can swell or contract due to the temperature changes.

• Solutions: When winter weather brings the cold, it’s important for you to stay warm. Bundle up to keep your core and limb temperatures more consistent during colder bouts of weather. If pinching or rubbing occurs when using your lower limb prosthetic during the winter, it’s probably time to contact your prosthetist or healthcare team to schedule a seasonal adjustment. You can also keep your body in prime condition with stretching and mild regular exercise routines and protect your skin from the cold with appropriate skincare and undergarments.

3. Seasonal Depression

SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) can affect us all during the winter months, with the shortened daylight hours and cold weather often isolating us from our support systems more in winter than other times of the year. Signs of seasonal depression vary person to person but can include struggling with feelings of anxiety or hopelessness, suffering bouts of irritability and frustration, being overwhelmed with feelings of guilt or worthlessness, feeling a loss of interest in activities that you previously enjoyed, having problems concentrating or remembering things, and experiencing changes in your sleeping or eating routine.

• Solutions: To combat seasonal depression, it’s important to stay active and connected to your community and seek help from professionals if needed. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your healthcare team if you are experiencing a mental health crisis due to Seasonal Affective Disorder.
• Prosthetic users can also find comradery, support, and practical advice at a Kenney Orthopedics Walking School or through a peer mentor program—contact us to learn more.

Contact Us for Wintertime Lower Limb Prosthetic Care in Kentucky, Indiana, and North Carolina

Our team at Kenney Orthopedics is ready to help you have a safe and enjoyable winter season. Connect with our healthcare team to answer any questions you have about using your orthotic or prosthetic device in winter, or to schedule a seasonal check-up.

Kenney Orthopedics has locations in Kentucky, Indiana, and North Carolina. Contact us today to find a location nearest you and schedule your next appointment with our friendly team of healthcare professionals.