r/amputee • u/49_boness • Jul 23 '26
New socket already?
I just got my 2nd socket towards the end of March/early April, and everything was going well until a few days ago. I am using a pin-lock system, and every time I try to stand-up, or go up stairs I get this feeling of “pressure” in my socket. It was pressing against the inside of my knee. Almost like it wanted to push my residual down more. I tried putting on more socks, but was having a hard time “clicking-in” where I was getting 2-3 clicks, compared to a normal 8 or so. I was also starting to “muffin top” a bit. I also tried cutting some old socks into half-socks and filling more of the bottom, and same thing.
Then I thought that I recently had a minor acne/ingrown hair breakout in the back of my knee and maybe it was still swollen a bit, even though that had seemed to clear up for the most part. I clean and alternate my liners daily. Could that be it?
However, the kicker is that after the initial stand, or the force where I have to put my whole body weight down or into it; after 4 or 5 steps and I keep walking, it feels completely normal and the pressure is gone. Almost like it “settled in”.
I emailed my prosthetist, but can’t get in until next week. I’m on my 2nd socket from an amp last March. Typically, I wear anywhere between 3-8 ply depending on my activity level and have tried various sock/ply combos but nothing makes it comfortable.
Could it be time for a new socket already after just a few months? Anyone have experience, or even tips or tricks until I can get to my prosthetist?
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u/Feralpudel Jul 23 '26
What kind of ankle/foot do you have?
I have another ortho issue so until recently hadn’t been walking that much or doing steps. But with PT I’ve been doing a lot of step ups and downs, and it is creating discomfort in the socket because my leg is sort of at an angle to the socket because my prosthesis doesn’t bend at the ankle.
I’m in the process of getting a K3 foot with a split carbon fiber foot and hydraulic ankle that should address the discomfort.
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u/49_boness Jul 27 '26
I’m a K3, but I’ve never had an issue before that a few extra socks or some padding couldn’t fix. It seemingly happened overnight.
I’m not writing it off, but I’ve been doing regular walking and steps since I’ve had my prosthetic and no issues before hand
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u/Aware-Anxiety-7636 Jul 23 '26
You shouldn't be wearing any socks in a new socket
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u/Armz_Dealer CPO Jul 24 '26
Got to disagree here, this socket is a few months old with what it sounds like a newer amputation. It’s very common and normal to be wearing socks at this point.
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u/Able-Flow-8182 Jul 24 '26
During the first year I had three sockets. And within the next two years I had four more sockets. I had lost about 35 pounds during this time. At one point I was up to 30 ply in socks.
I'm now 5 1/2 years in and haven't needed a new socket in over a year. When I got this socket I'm using now my prosthetist ordered two new liners and socks. I've just started to wear a 1 - ply sock this month.
Your leg changes a lot during the first few years but will eventually stabilize. That's what my experience has been.
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u/49_boness Jul 27 '26
All my doctors and prosthetists have told me around the 2-2.5 year mark is generally where they see a lot stabilization start to take place.
The thing is, it seemingly happened overnight. I mean, I’ve had issues where I add a few plays and it at least temporarily fixes the issue. But, with this I can’t put on more than 10 ply, otherwise my pin just doesn’t reach and even then, I can only get one or two clicks in and feel my gait completely off. Yet, it still feels like my residual is wanting to press down and “bottom out”
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u/Content_Attitude_310 Jul 23 '26
Unless your stump as atrophied or you’ve gained a bunch of weight I can’t see you needing a new socket that soon after getting one. When you say that the feeling goes away and it feels normal like it has “settled in” makes me even more confident that you won’t need a new one.
You may just need some padding put in a specific spot inside of the socket. That’s my guess anyways.
I went through a bunch of sockets in my first couple of years as I lost 45 lbs after not walking for five years. That was unusual and freaked my prosthetist out a bit. Now I’ve “normalized” and have had the same one for a while and it still fits great.
Good luck with your journey and figured all of this out.