Recovery from an amputation requires a lot of hard work, for both patients and their rehabilitation caregivers. It takes time to adjust to the physical changes and to regain confidence in one’s ability to accomplish everyday activities. The staff at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital Rehabilitation Center is committed to providing the physical and emotional support needed to help our patients regain control of their lives.
A highly skilled group of professionals plans each patient’s care under the direction of a rehabilitation physician (physiatrist) from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Therapies and activities are designed to improve each patient’s functional skills, help him/her to adjust to the loss of a limb, and, if appropriate, prepare he/she for fitting with an artificial limb.
Care is coordinated by a case manager who helps the patient and his/her family understand the recovery process and consider the options as the patient progresses from inpatient care to home health care, outpatient rehabilitation and/or community services.
Throughout recovery, patients are apt to meet others recovering from amputations. We encourage patients to talk together and share experiences and strategies for adjustment and recovery.
Amputation Rehabilitation Goals Our clinical staff work together as an interdisciplinary team to design a unique rehabilitation program for each patient. The team helps patients attain their highest level of functioning and independence.
Core goals of rehabilitation include:
Developing a preprosthetic program to promote wound healing and desensitization of the limb, reduce swelling and shape the limb to fit a prosthesis.
Assessing the patient’s ability to function, with instruction in transfers and mobility.
Increasing the patient’s overall strength, endurance, flexibility and range of motion to maximize personal independence.
Educating the patient and his/her family or caretakers as to proper skin care.
Designing a home exercise program to maintain range of motion and prevent tightness in joints and muscles.
Supporting the patient and his/her family as they learn to adjust to the patient’s physical limitations.
Determining home equipment needs and coordinating outpatient rehabilitation services and community resources as needed.
Leg Donated, Life Saved MedStar Good Samaritan donates a prosthesis to a woman in need of a new leg.
