Amputation Physiotherapy Treatment

Amputation is defined as the removal of the limb through a part of the bone.

    1. COMMON CAUSE
      • Injury (< 50 Years)
      • Peripheral vascular Disease (>50 years)

  1. LESS COMMON CAUSE
    • Infection
    • Tumors
    • Nerve Injuries
    • Congenital Anamolies

 

Amputation Types

Closed amputation: this is done most of time as an elective procedure and may be above knee and below knee, above elbow and below elbow,etc.Here after the amputation soft tissues are closed over the  bony stump.

Open amputation: here the wound left open over  the amputation stump and is not closed .this is done as an emergency procedure in face of life-threatening  infection. Two types depending upon the skin flaps.

  • Open amputations with inverted skin flap.
  • Circular open amputation.

 

PHYSIOTHERAPY MEASURES

Management of stump

  • Limb elevation for edema reduction.
  • All the joints including the stump are subjected to resistive exercise
  • Stumping bandaging  to prevent edema
  • chest physiotherapy ( deep breathing exercise)

 

MUST DO THINGS AFTER 

  • Encourage prone lying to prevent hip flexion contracture
  • Avoid pillow beneath the knee to prevent flexion deformities of the knee
  • Avoid long period of sitting
  • Avoid dragging on bed ,rather push the forearm to get up
  • Advise vigorous ROM and strengthening exercises to all joints of body
  • Strong isometric to the gluteus and thigh muscles for the stump after 3-4 days