Fitting of temporary prosthetic limbs immediately after amputation.

Better fit and function of prosthetic limbs is promoted when section and closure is done with attention to the prospective use of the stump as a pad for seating the limb. Preservation of tissue, fixing muscles to bone under physiologic tension, and making sure that bone ends are well covered with tissue are important to the comfort and usefulness of the limb that is to be fitted to the stump. Immediate application of a plaster-cast to form a total-contact socket for seating a temporary prosthetic limb, then early standing, weight-bearing and walking aid in healing and in shaping the stump to the permanent prosthetic socket it will ultimately occupy.