The prosthetic process starts when your doctor clears the amputation site for weight bearing for lower limb amputations and pressure tolerance for upper extremity amputations. Therefore the start date is dependent upon each individuals healing time. Dysvascular patients typically heal slower than patients who have no vascular problems. Step one is to have a shrinker sock applied to help shape the limb, reduce swelling of the limb, and to get the patient to start handling their limb. For most new amputees, their first prosthesis is measured, fit, aligned, and delivered in their home. After about two weeks the limb is ready for measuring. The prosthetist will take your mold and make a diagnostic test socket. Once the socket fit is comfortable the test socket becomes the mold for the prosthetic socket. When the socket is finished the prosthetist will come back to your home with your components (foot and or knee) attached to it. The prosthetist will now get you standing and possibly walking that day depending upon each individual’s capabilities. If all goes well, the prosthesis is ready for delivery, and the patient is ready to be trained by a Physical therapist. From shrinker fitting to delivery it is usually around 6 weeks for new amputees. This time frame can be drastically reduced to about one to two weeks for experienced prosthetic wearers.