Lower limb prosthetic fitting is much less controversial. The initial prosthetic leg is usually provided when the child is beginning to try to pull up and stand, at or before one year of age. The early prostheses are usually relatively simple and easy for the parent to apply, emphasizing stability, light weight, and comfort. Special features to accommodate growth of the child are useful, along with careful attention to maintaining the fit of the socket despite the rapid changes in the residual limb. The very young child with an acquired amputation experiences the trauma of the surgery but does not have as many of the social issues that older children must face when they undergo amputation.
Parents often feel guilty, especially if an accident is involved.
If the amputation was necessitated by a malignant tumor, fears of death are very real and need to be dealt with in an effective manner. Open discussion, with a positive outlook, regarding the amputation and its subsequent management should be encouraged. If a prosthetic device is appropriate, encourage the child to participate in the design as much as possible. A child may really enjoy selecting a favorite cartoon character or color to be incorporated into the design of the new prosthesis. Most children function extremely well with a prosthesis, usually better than an adult with similar loss.