Maintenance Made Simple - Keeping Your Child’s Prosthetic Working
Proper maintenance ensures your child’s prosthetic continues functioning optimally while lasting as long as possible. Universal Limbs has designed maintenance protocols that families can easily manage, even in challenging circumstances with limited resources.
Daily care requires minimal time but prevents larger problems. Simple cleaning with available materials keeps the prosthetic hygienic and functioning smoothly. Research by Gaza Prosthetics Project (Al-Najjar et al., 2024) found that regular basic maintenance extended prosthetic lifespan by 35% despite harsh conditions and limited resources.
Visual inspection becomes second nature with practice. Families learn to check tension cords for wear, examine attachment points for looseness, and monitor contact surfaces for damage. Early detection of developing issues prevents complete breakdowns that might interrupt your child’s prosthetic use.
Tension adjustment is the most common maintenance need. As children grow or develop stronger coordination, cable tension may require modification to maintain optimal function. Our prosthetics include adjustment mechanisms that families can safely operate with basic instructions.
Storage considerations are particularly important in temporary housing situations. Prosthetics need protection from extreme temperatures, dust, and moisture while remaining easily accessible for daily use. Simple storage solutions using available materials can dramatically extend device lifespan.
Troubleshooting common issues empowers families to address minor problems independently. Most prosthetic issues involve simple adjustments rather than complex repairs. When families understand basic troubleshooting, children experience fewer interruptions to their prosthetic use.
Professional maintenance support remains available when needed. We provide clear guidelines about when to seek technical assistance versus when families can safely address issues themselves. This balance maintains prosthetic performance while building family confidence in device management.
Growth-related adjustments follow predictable patterns. Families learn to recognize when children are outgrowing their prosthetic fit and understand the options for extending usability through adjustments versus needing replacement components.
Emergency maintenance kits provide backup solutions for unexpected issues. Basic repair supplies and instructions enable temporary fixes that keep prosthetics functional until more comprehensive repairs can be arranged.
The goal is empowering families to maintain their child’s prosthetic confidently while knowing when to seek additional support.