Amputee rehabilitation

People of all ages who have had a surgical or traumatic amputation, or a limb deficiency since birth can learn to realize their full potential and achieve a high quality of life.

Traumatic amputation

Traumatic amputation is the loss of a body part -- usually a finger, toe, arm, or leg -- that occurs as the result of an accident or trauma.

Learn more about traumatic amputation in our health encyclopedia.

If you are faced with the loss of a limb, a doctor or therapist specializing in amputation rehabilitation can help at any point during your treatment. You can learn how to prepare, find out what to expect before and after surgery, understand potential risks and complications and learn how to stay healthy.

Rehabilitation services can start before or after surgery and continue throughout your life.

Who can benefit

The amputee program at Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute is for anyone who has had or may have an upper or lower limb loss. The program can help if you:

• are interested in a pre-amputation consultation
• are having problems with a prosthesis — a device designed to replace a missing part of the body, or to make a part of the body work better
• would like a new prescription for a prosthesis
• have concerns about pain (surgical or phantom), swelling, depression, driving, work or leisure activities or using a new wheelchair.

Rehabilitation team

Physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors and therapists work with patients before and after surgery – both in the hospital and at outpatient clinics.

Therapy team

In addition to working with a rehabilitation doctor, you will also meet with:

• physical and occupational therapists who are specially trained in rehabilitative care – they provide both inpatient and outpatient services for people with amputations
• prosthetists who will write prescriptions for a prosthetic device and ensure it fits properly and works for you.