The Best Care in Amputee Rehabilitation
Our Approach to Amputee Rehabilitation
Amputee Rehabilitation at Younker Rehabilitation focuses on pre-prosthetic care and education for above-knee and below-knee amputees. The majority of limb-loss patients we encounter are immediately post-operative. Patients and their family members/caregivers participate in extensive education and training to maximize their functional independence and quality of life. We teach you about daily skin care of the residual limb, shaping the residual limb, proper positioning of the limb, exercises and walking/transfer skills. We also cover appropriate use of assistive devices, adaptive techniques and equipment for completing activities such as daily living, coping strategies, techniques for desensitization of the residual limb, managing phantom limb sensations/pain, community resources, prevention of secondary complications associated with amputation, care of incisional wounds or other open areas, diabetic management and prosthetic options.
Our Amputee Rehab Team
As with all of our patients, the rehabilitation program established for you will be unique to your needs, abilities and capabilities. Our team of physiatrists, nurses and patient care techs, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social worker, recreational therapist, and care managers place you at the center of our team and empower you to direct your care once you have received all the education and training needed to successfully transition to home. Other members of your treatment team may include specialist caregivers such as prosthetists, diabetes educators, dietitians, wound nurses and pain clinicians.
Read more about rehabilitation therapies and our team members.
Treatment and Advanced Technology in Amputee Rehabilitation
During this phase of rehabilitation (immediate post-operative amputation), most of the technology protects your residual limb and increases your independence. Our team of expert clinicians will collaborate with other professionals, including prosthetists and Assistive Technology Professionals (ATPs), to ensure you have the appropriate equipment for a successful transition to home.
If you had a below-knee amputation, your surgeon or physiatrist determines whether or not you need a rigid dressing placed on your residual limb, which is designed to prevent flexion (or bending) of the knee, helps manage swelling and protects your incision. A removable rigid dressing simply means it can be taken off and placed back on so the surgical site can be more carefully monitored. Many rigid dressings have an adjustable outer rigid cast and inner transparent liner. This dressing is fit by a prosthetist and not only protects your incision, but provides support and compression for shaping your leg in preparation for a prosthetic limb.
Our wheelchair specialist will collaborate with a certified ATP to evaluate your need for a wheelchair, pressure relieving cushion and wheelchair accessories (such as an amputee leg rest) during your stay at Younker Rehabilitation and for your transition to home. A prescription for short-term wheelchair rental before to receiving your prosthetic limb affords you maximal functional independence in your home and community environments.
Younker Rehab Facility's advanced technology and equipment.