Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital's Amputee Program, established in 1986, serves clients who have undergone amputation of one or more extremities.
The goal of the program is to help the client achieve his/her maximum functional potential.
Family members are an essential part of the treatment team, and we encourage family involvement through all phases of the Amputee Program.
Family support is especially important in reinforcing independent living skills and a healthy lifestyle at home.
A collaborative, integrated team approach helps to promote a rapid and cost-effective return to home and community.
The members of the interdisciplinary team include:
The Client & Family
Physiatrist (Physician specializing in Rehabilitation Medicine)
Rehabilitation Nurse
Physical Therapist
Prosthetist
Occupational Therapist
Psychologist
Case Manager/Social Worker
Dietitian
Internal Medicine consultation, vocational evaluation, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and pastoral counseling are also available.
The Amputee Program at Cardinal Hill is broken down into a three-phase approach.
Phase I usually requires an inpatient stay of 7 to 10 days. The program is provided by staff specially trained to treat all of the client's post-amputation needs. The goals of this initial phase are wound healing and instruction in self-care skills, wheelchair or walker skills and home safety.
The treatment team provides therapy and instructs the client and family in wound care, desensitization techniques and residual limb shaping to prepare for future prosthetic use.
Phase II is an outpatient period during which, ideally, the patient is followed in the Amputee Clinic. Healing and shaping are monitored, and a prosthetist is consulted if the situation is appropriate.
Phase III begins with the completion of the prosthesis. For lower extremity amputees, walking with the prosthesis begins at this time. Final adjustments are made to the prosthesis as gait training progresses under the direction of the client's primary Physical Therapists and Physiatrist.
Functional tasks such as bathing, transfers, home management, and dressing with the prosthesis are learned. Phase III may be provided on an inpatient or outpatient basis and length of stay may vary.
The caring and support an amputee receives at the inpatient level at Cardinal Hill does not end with the discharge.
Those receiving inpatient and outpatient treatment are followed in the Amputee Clinic, where the physician and therapists may recommend changes in the client's home program, therapy services or equipment.
Referral to Cardinal Hill's Outpatient Therapy Services or to agencies in the client's home community may be made.