The nuts and bolts of amputee travel

Getting ready for a big overseas trip involves a lot of list-making, but for an amputee, the most important “tune-up” doesn’t happen at a mechanic—it happens at the prosthetist’s office.

Ahead of my holiday to Sweden, Thailand, and the UK, I headed in last week for a final check-up at OAPL Alexandria to ensure everything was adventure-ready. My prosthetist, Will, went through the essentials: tightening bolts that take a beating during daily use, increasing the padding inside the prosthetic, and checking the soles of my shoes to ensure the grip and alignment are spot on. We’ve also begun the paperwork for a new socket, as my leg has changed shape and size significantly in the last 18 months.

The unexpected highlight of the visit was the alignment tool. As you can see in the photo, it uses a digital interface to show exactly how straight I’m standing. By placing me on a pressure-sensitive platform, the software generates a vertical plumb line—that bright green stripe on the tablet—to measure the weight distribution and the “straightness” of my posture.

It’s a fascinating bit of tech that takes the guesswork out of the process. Even a few millimetres of tilt can lead to back pain or fatigue when you’re walking through international airports or exploring the streets of a small village.

This trip is a literal trial by fire (and ice). Going from the humid 30°C heat of Thailand to the -30°C chill of a Swedish winter presents a unique challenge: volume change.

The residual limb—or “stump”—is incredibly sensitive to temperature and air pressure. In the Thai heat, I can expect some swelling; in the Swedish cold, it might shrink. This fluid fluctuation affects how the socket fits, which is why having a range of prosthetic socks is non-negotiable for maintaining comfort across 60 degrees of temperature variance.

Beyond the usual passport and sunscreen, my kit looks a bit different. The awesome thing is that since these are classified as essential medical devices, they don’t count towards my luggage weight—a huge relief when packing for three different climates!

• Prosthetic Socks: Various ply/thicknesses to manage limb shrinkage or swelling.
• Liners and Sleeves: A primary set plus a spare (accidents happen!).
• Skin Care: Alcohol wipes, pH-neutral soap, and anti-chafe balm to prevent sores.
• The “Fix-it” Kit: A specific hex key (Allen key) for minor adjustments and spare valve parts.
• A “Maybe” Walking Stick: I’m aiming to go without it, but it’s on the standby list just in case the terrain gets tricky.

I’ve booked wheelchair assistance for every flight, and if you’re an amputee travelling long-haul, I can’t recommend it enough. It’s not about “giving up” independence; it’s about energy conservation.

Airports are massive, and trekking kilometres between gates before a 14-hour flight is a recipe for skin breakdown. Using the assistance service ensures I’m fresh for the destination rather than exhausted by the transit. Plus, it makes navigating the security “pat-down”—a standard reality for those of us with metal limbs (and for me, a right hip) —much more organised and significantly less stressful.

With the bolts tightened and my alignment verified, I’m feeling much more confident about the kilometres ahead.