Planning a fitting trip
Coming to Karachi for a prosthetic fitting
Patients fly in from the Gulf, the UK, North America and further away, and many overseas Pakistanis plan a fitting during a visit home. Most of the planning happens on WhatsApp before you book a flight, so your time in Karachi goes on fitting, not waiting.
At a glance
- Below-knee leg
- About 2 to 3 weeks
- Above-knee leg
- About 3 to 4 weeks
- New socket only
- About 1 to 2 weeks
- Time zone
- Pakistan Standard Time, UTC+5
How long do I need to stay in Karachi for a prosthetic leg?
About two to three weeks for a standard below-knee leg, three to four weeks for a first above-knee leg, and one to two weeks for a new socket on a leg you already have. We confirm the plan from your photos and video before you book, so the dates fit the work.
Written and checked by the clinical team at Prosthetic Professionals. Last reviewed October 2026. General information only; your own surgeon or doctor decides when a limb is ready for fitting.
Before you book a flight
Send photos of the limb from the front and side, the amputation date, your height and weight, and a short video of you walking with your current leg or crutches. Add photos of any old prosthesis and the labels on its knee and foot.
From those we tell you which prosthesis is likely, a first price, and how many days the clinic stages need. If anything suggests the limb is not ready, such as an unhealed wound, we say so before you spend money on a ticket.
Bring your surgeon's notes, a list of your medicines, and recent sugar readings if you are diabetic. Bring the old prosthesis too, even if it no longer fits; its parts may be reused.
- Photos of the limb and any old leg
- A short walking video
- Surgical notes and medicines list
- Your travel dates
A typical below-knee visit, day by day
Above-knee and first fittings take longer; we set out your own plan before you travel.
- 1
Day 1: assessment and cast
We examine the limb, agree the build and price in writing, and take the cast the same day where possible.
- 2
Days 3 to 6: test socket
You walk in a clear test socket while we reshape it until the pressure is right.
- 3
Days 7 to 10: final limb
The finished socket is joined to the knee, pylon and foot and aligned with a laser.
- 4
Days 10 to 18: walking training
Daily sessions on flat ground, steps and slopes, building up how long you wear the limb.
- 5
Before you fly: final check
A last skin check, a written record of the parts and alignment, spare socks, and a plan for follow-up.
Leave a few spare days at the end of the trip. Limbs sometimes need one more adjustment after the first long walks.
How long to plan for
Clinic stages only. Add travel days and a little spare time.
| Fitting | Typical clinic stages | Clinic visits |
|---|---|---|
| Below-knee leg | 2 to 3 weeks | About 6 to 10 |
| Above-knee leg | 3 to 4 weeks | About 8 to 14 |
| Knee or hip disarticulation | 3 to 5 weeks | About 10 to 15 |
| New socket on your own leg | 1 to 2 weeks | About 4 to 6 |
| Silicone finger or partial foot | 1 to 2 weeks | About 3 to 5 |
| Arm prosthesis | 2 to 3 weeks | About 6 to 10 |
Second-time users and people whose limb has fully settled usually need fewer visits.
Visas, arrival and where to stay
Pakistani passport, NICOP and POC holders do not need a visa. Most other visitors apply online through Pakistan's official online visa system before travelling; check the current rules for your passport, because they change.
The clinic is in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, a central residential and commercial area of Karachi, roughly half an hour by road from Jinnah International Airport outside rush hour. Many overseas Pakistanis stay with family; others take guest houses or hotels nearby, and we can suggest the closest options.
Karachi is warm and humid for most of the year. Sweat affects how a socket feels, so we fit and test in the same conditions you will walk in, and plan training sessions for the cooler parts of the day where we can.
What you take home
Everything you need to look after the limb once you leave Karachi.
Questions from people travelling in
Ask your own questionCan the first assessment happen by video?
A video call and photos let us give a first view, a likely price and a timetable. The full assessment, the cast and the fitting have to happen in person at the clinic.
What if the limb needs adjusting after I fly home?
Small adjustments can be made by a prosthetist where you live, using the written record we give you. We can also look at photos and video and advise. Bigger changes are best planned for your next visit.
Do I need a letter from my doctor?
Not to book, but surgical notes and your doctor's view on the wound and your general health help us plan, especially for diabetic and above-knee patients.
Can a family member come into the fitting sessions?
Yes. A family member or friend is welcome at every stage, and it helps to have someone learn the care routine with you.
Plan your fitting before you book
Send photos, a walking video and your travel dates on WhatsApp. We will reply with the likely limb, a first price and the number of days you need.