To Cover or Not Cover?

Posted by: Susan
Posted: Tue, January 05 2010 at 10:11am

Recently I read two articles talking about choices an amputee has regarding covering their prosthesis. 
In the first article, the author was adamant about not wanting to walk around looking like what she considered a “comic book character”.  Her preference was to wear a cosmetic cover over her leg. Part of her message was to make sure prosthetists offer patients the option of a “cosmetic” cover.  The author was strong in her personal beliefs that covering her prosthesis was important and also added to her functionality. I certainly believe that prosthetists should offer patients a choice, but I took offence when the author spoke about people who do not cover their prosthesis as people who look like “comic book characters.”

The second recent article I read about this was in the inMotion Nov/Dec 09 magazine and it also spoke about the options of covering or not covering prostheses.  It also mentioned how some insurance companies will not pay for cosmetic covers.  I would recommend reading this article, as I think it gave a broad point of view regarding the options amputees have. 
So far in my three years as an above knee amputee, I have chosen not to cover my prosthesis.  I think it is mostly because I had the opportunity to be with many other amputees, and the experience of being an amputee has became fairly “normal” to me.

Initially the experience of becoming an amputee was pretty traumatic.  I might’ve chosen to cover my leg, but being involved in an amputee community where many did not cover their prostheses has influenced me.  In both 2007 and 2008 I was fortunate to be able to attend the ACA Conference.  I also have participated in a great support group in Marlton, NJ, and my physical therapist only treats amputees, so I often had therapy with other amputees.

Some of the amputees I have met, who chose not to cover their prosthesis, use the opportunity of “visibility” as an educational opportunity.  I have also done this.  Recently, I met a man in the airport that was a bi-lateral amputee - one above knee and one below.  He specifically said that he never wears long pants and when people stare, he generally offers the opportunity as a conversation opener.

I think in the past it was more common for people to cover their prostheses.  I remember speaking to one older person who said she couldn’t understand why some amputees would not cover their prosthesis.  My opinion is, this is me and I have nothing to hide!  If someone wants to choose to cover their prosthesis, great.  But I work hard to accept myself, as I am, whether or not my prosthesis has a cosmetic cover.  While I will sometimes wear long pants at work, or in the winter, I am also happy to have the opportunity to have my C-Leg, and I choose to wear it proudly!

Susan Lazarchick

Otto Bock HealthCare pays Susan a small fee for her essays.