The overall goal of rehabilitation after lower limb amputation is to reach your best level of health and independence in your walking, daily activities, and quality of life.
How Our Physical Therapy Specialists Can Help
- Manage painful conditions including residual limb and phantom limb pain
- Prevent injuries that sometimes occur in remaining limbs
- Improve strength and flexibility
- Reduce swelling
- Prevent muscle shortening/contractures
- Improve and maintain physical health
- Become independent and safe in walking and self-care activities
- Return to work and free-time activities
- Improve your quality of life
What Impacts Recovery After Amputation?
- Level of amputation
- Physical condition
- Diet
- Family support
- Emotional well-being
- Personal motivation
A rehabilitation program that takes care of your physical AND emotional well-being can help you have an independent life.
Many patients are able to use a prosthesis, also called an artificial limb, but your care team can also help you become more independent in daily life without a prosthesis.
Expectations for Rehabilitation
Once you and your therapist determine or identify your goals, your rehabilitation will likely include:
- Learning how to walk with your prosthesis
- Training in daily activities such as bathing, dressing, cooking, clearing shopping and many others
- How to use tools that make tasks easier
- How to care for your residual limb to help with swelling, pain, sensitivity, skin care, and shaping
- Range of motion exercises and home exercises to help with strength, posture, and balance
- How to use devices such as wheelchairs, driving equipment, or workplace tools
Your Therapist May Help During Any of These Phases
- Surgical phase
- Pre-prosthetic phase
- Prosthetic fitting
- Lifelong care
We work closely with you, your surgeon, and any other members of your care team.
Please give us a call if you have any questions or want to learn more.
