Amputation
Amputation
Lower Limb Amputation
Regardless of the reason, losing a limb is difficult for a person to comes to terms with. Both mentally and physically, amputation can negatively affect a person and inevitably changes their life as well as the lives of friends and families. Although it may be difficult and the rehabilitation process can be slow, life after amputation is simply a matter of finding a new routine — a new normal.
For new amputees, the whole process can seem daunting, but it is always important to remember that no one goes through an amputation alone. There are lots of resources and charities available to help with everything from pre-surgery consultations to programs for life-long support.
Post Amputation
The first day after the surgery is often the hardest as you process that what was previously just theoretical is now a reality. The wound will be dressed in bandages and compressions socks, and possibly also elevated or put in a stint, to help reduce swelling, which is very likely after surgery. Ensuring swelling stays down and the residual limb — the part of the limb still attached to the body — shrinks is a priority during this time. Proper healing will make it easier to fit a prosthetic limb later on. Your residual limb will have swelling for around 6-18 months before it becomes stable and mature. This can make the early stages of limb wearing difficult due to fitting issues.
Rehabilitation will begin within a few days, but it will mostly be very simple and gentle stretching exercises to help you maintain the range of motion in all your other limbs. The physiotherapist will likely also guide you through some exercises to prevent blood clots from forming.
The wound itself will take anywhere from four to eight weeks to heal fully, but you will likely only remain in the hospital for up to 14 days. The lengthy stay in the hospital is to allow doctors to monitor your healing and keep an eye on any conditions that may interfere with proper healing, such as diabetes or hardening arteries. They will also prescribe painkillers and other medications to prevent infections.
What is the recovery after amputation like?
Well, the short answer is that it’s long and can last years. Amputation is not just the physical loss of a limb — it is also the readjustment of a person’s very way of living and requires relearning how to do many things that were once second nature.
The healing process begins with three main components:
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Managing the risk of complications
- Gaining mobility and independence
If you plan on getting a prosthesis, it may be months before you are fitted for your artificial limb, which makes physical therapy one of the most important parts of your recovery and helps prevent any issues once you begin using a prosthesis.
What is a Prosthesis?
A prosthetic limb is an artificial replacement for a missing limb or part of a limb. Although a prosthesis is never going to be your own limb, it can help you get back leading an independent and active lifestyle if you are willing to combine your energy and commitment into learning how to use it effectively. The most important aspect of success is working with your prosthetist and physiotherapist to address all your requirements and needs, and then to work with them on the processes of design, fitting and training, which are required to be a successful limb user.
When can I visit BPO clinic for a prosthesis?
First, the residual limb wound must heal properly post amputation. The actual rehabilitation phase starts after a few weeks as your amputation scar needs to be well healed before weight bearing. Your rehab team will decide when you can start with intensive rehabilitation based on how your initial recovery progresses goes. During the rehabilitation phase you are specifically prepared for wearing a prosthesis. The goal is to provide you with the highest possible degree of mobility and independence so that you can live your life as normally as possible in the future. However, your active participation is the decisive factor for a successful rehabilitation. Your motivation and willingness to learn and complying with advice from our professionals can also make an important contribution
During rehabilitation you will learn how to care properly for your residual limb, the scar, and your sound leg and how to prevent any breakdowns of the skin. Before you can use a prosthesis, your residual limb must be healed and lost a significant amount of swelling. This means that all fluids which accumulated through the operation have been removed through compression therapy and that the residual limb oedema has subsided. Once your residual limb has matured, the scar as healed and can bear weight, you may be fitted with an early or interim prosthesis. Then you will practice using your prosthetic leg: first how to put the prosthesis on and take it off correctly and safely, followed later by gait training. Our physiotherapists at BPO Clinic are specialists in amputee physiotherapy and will go through all this in depth with you once your prosthesis has been fitted. Your prosthetist will advise on how to care for your prosthetic limb and residuum.
What happens at the first appointment at BPO Clinic?
During the initial consultation at one of our BPO clinics, you will be seen by a prosthetist and amputee physiotherapist who will assess you for the best prosthesis suited to your lifestyle and specific needs. We will discuss the best socket type, suspension and if you are a below knee amputee, the best type of prosthetic foot suited to your activity levels.
If you are an above knee amputee, we will also discuss the best type of prosthetic knee suited to your activity level. The clinician will then produce an initial needs report, inclusive of different prosthesis options to suit your budget. If you decide to proceed with one of our clinicians’ recommendations, then we will arrange a second appointment for casting and measurements, and our highly skilled technicians will manufacture a diagnostic socket from the clinicians cast. You will then attend for a further appointment for the test socket fitting, alignment, and physiotherapy.
How will the prosthesis suspend?
This depends on individual requirements and what stage of rehabilitation you are at. The most advanced forms of suspension require a well healed, volume stable residual limb which means they will not be suitable for new amputees. These vary from suction sockets, mechanical locks, magnetic etc. Our clinicians will discuss in depth the different types of suspension methods at your consultation.
How soon after surgery can I get a prosthetic limb?
Generally, you should be ready for prosthetic measurements and fitting 6 weeks after surgery, when the wound is healed, and the tissue swelling has decreased. Then you will be ready for prosthetic measurements and casting. This process can be easily attained with exercise and rehabilitation. During this stage, your team also will be concerned with maintaining proper shape of the residual limb, as well as increasing overall strength and function. Fitting is usually stress-free and involves several steps to create a unique prosthesis for you. It is important you comply with all advice given to give you the best possible chance of limb wearing successfully.
Prosthetic Physiotherapy
At BPO Clinic we are able to offer the services of experienced professional amputee physiotherapists to ensure you receive optimum rehabilitation.
Our patients are our focus, and we deliver these services to a very high clinical standard so that you can be confident of the best possible care. Following an assessment and close working with your prosthetist, an initial programme of gait training and effective basic exercises will help manage gait and muscle imbalance that may occur with a new prosthesis.
Finally, we are able to demonstrate and teach methods regarding functional tasks such as ascending and descending stairs and ramps or getting on and off the floor, walking outdoors and in a range of different everyday settings, along with other specific tasks needed to get you back to a safe, independent functioning status. At BPO Clinic we can also offer by appointment visits to your home. These can be arranged in the evening or on weekends when we can look at your function in your own environment to again allow for more specific task training.