Amputee Program Phases of Care

All patients who elect to have and are medically appropriate for a prosthesis are treated in two phases.

Pre-Prosthetic Phase
Before a patient is ready to be fitted with a prosthesis, specific goals must first be accomplished. During the pre-prosthetic phase, the goal is to help the patient become as independent as possible without the prosthesis. Therapy focuses on residual limb care, increasing strength, mobility and endurance in preparation for the fitting of the temporary prosthesis. The patient's physical and emotional readiness for a prosthesis is also evaluated.

If a patient does not want to pursue or has not met the criteria for prosthesis, he is discharged from the inpatient program after reaching maximum potential. The therapists provide home exercises and order all appropriate equipment (i.e. wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, bathroom equipment and any other devices that assist the individual in daily activities).

Patients who meet the criteria and want to pursue a prosthesis are evaluated in the Amputee Clinic. A physiatrist, prosthetist, and physical and/or occupational therapist perform a combined assessment of the patient's physical and emotional readiness and when appropriate, begin a treatment program.

Prosthetic Phase
When the patient is ready to begin the prosthetic phase, he meets with the prosthetist in the outpatient Amputee Clinic for the initial fitting. The patient then returns for the external fitting and begins a therapy program where he is trained to use the prosthesis. He will continue to be followed through the Amputee Clinic until the prosthetic limb has stabilized and modifications to the prosthesis are completed.