Amputee Rehabilitation

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Amputation: Levels & Aims - Cutting Edge Care

  • Indications: Severe trauma, PVD (e.g., diabetes), uncontrolled infection, malignancy, congenital defects.
  • Levels (Lower Limb):
    • Syme's: Ankle disarticulation, end-bearing.
    • Transtibial (BKA): Ideal 12.5-17.5 cm below knee joint.
    • Transfemoral (AKA): Ideal 25-30 cm below greater trochanter.
  • Levels (Upper Limb): Transradial, Transhumeral.
  • Surgical Aims for Ideal Stump:
    • Optimal length & shape (conical/cylindrical).
    • Painless, mobile scar (posterior in BKA).
    • Muscle stabilization: myodesis/myoplasty.
    • Good padding & vascularity. Common Amputation Levels: Upper and Lower Limb

⭐ Transtibial amputation: Posterior myocutaneous flap is preferred for better stump vascularity and padding.

Stump: Care & Complications - Healing the Hub

  • Post-Op Stump Care:

    • Edema Control: Crucial for healing & prosthetic fit.
      • Methods: Rigid (RRD), semi-rigid, soft dressings (elastic figure-of-eight bandaging).
    • Pain Management:
      • Stump pain (local) vs. Phantom limb pain (neuropathic).
    • Hygiene: Daily cleaning, inspection.
    • Positioning: Prevent contractures (e.g., avoid prolonged hip/knee flexion).
  • Stump Maturation:

    • Desensitization: Tapping, massage.
    • Shaping: Conical/cylindrical for prosthesis.
  • Common Complications:

    • Early: Infection, hematoma, wound dehiscence, skin necrosis, DVT.
    • Delayed/Late:
      • Contractures (hip flexion, knee flexion most common).
      • Neuroma (painful nerve ending).
      • Bony spurs, skin breakdown.
      • Phantom limb pain/sensation.

    ⭐ Phantom limb pain occurs in 50-80% of amputees; often managed with mirror therapy, gabapentinoids, or TCAs.

  • Prevention Focus:

    • Early mobilization, proper bandaging, meticulous surgical closure.

Prosthetics: Types & Tech - Bionic Blueprints

  • Types:
    • Temporary: Early training, stump shaping.
    • Definitive: Long-term, customized.
    • Exoskeletal: Hard outer shell, durable.
    • Endoskeletal: Internal pylon, lighter, adaptable, cosmetic.
  • Key Components:
    • Socket: Stump interface. Transtibial: PTB, TSB. Transfemoral: Ischial Containment, Quadrilateral.

      ⭐ Ischial containment sockets provide better medio-lateral stability for transfemoral amputees compared to quadrilateral sockets.

    • Suspension: Holds prosthesis. E.g., Suction, Pin/Lanyard, Silesian belt.
    • Shank (Pylon): Connects socket to foot/knee.
    • Knee Units (Transfemoral): Single-axis (fixed cadence), Polycentric (variable cadence, ↑stability), MPK.
    • Ankle-Foot Assemblies: SACH (basic), Dynamic Response (energy storing).
  • Checkout: Static (comfort, length), Dynamic (gait, stability). Endoskeletal vs Exoskeletal Prosthesis Components

Rehabilitation: Phases & Gait - Stepping Forward

  • Goal: Maximize functional independence, QoL.
  • Pre-Prosthetic Phase: Stump maturation (edema control, shaping, desensitization). ROM, strengthening (esp. extensors, abductors). Phantom pain management.
  • Prosthetic Training Phase: Prosthesis: Don/doff, care. Balance (static, dynamic).
    • LL Gait Training: Progression (parallel bars→aids→unaided). Aim: smooth, symmetric, energy-efficient.
      • Common Deviations:
        • Circumduction (long prosthesis, weak hip flexors).
        • Vaulting (long prosthesis, ↓knee flexion, fear).
        • Lateral Bend (weak abductors, short prosthesis, pain).
        • Trendelenburg (gluteus medius weakness).
    • UL Functional Training: Terminal device control, grasp patterns, ADLs.
  • Key: Continuous psychological & vocational support. 📌 S.T.E.P. Forward (Stump, Training, Exercise, Psych).

Amputee gait training with resistance band

⭐ Vaulting (rising on sound limb) during prosthetic gait often indicates the prosthesis is too long, there's insufficient prosthetic knee flexion, or fear of weight-bearing.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Phantom limb pain is common; manage with mirror therapy, TENS, and pharmacotherapy.
  • Crucial stump care involves hygiene, conical shaping, and desensitization to prevent issues.
  • Early prosthetic fitting, ideally within 30 days, significantly improves functional outcomes.
  • Energy expenditure markedly ↑ with lower limb amputations, especially transfemoral.
  • Prevent contractures (e.g., hip flexion in AKA) with proper positioning and regular exercises.
  • Gait training is fundamental for achieving functional mobility and independence with a prosthesis.
  • Comprehensive psychological support is integral throughout the entire rehabilitation process for adjustment.
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Practice Questions: Amputee Rehabilitation

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Amputation is often not required in:

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Flashcards: Amputee Rehabilitation

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Treatment of myositis ossificans in latent phase involves _____

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Treatment of myositis ossificans in latent phase involves _____

active physiotherapy

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