Amputee Rehabilitation
A prosthesis is more than a piece of medical equipment. It represents a life change that can vastly improve your quality of life and well-being. Some people find that a prosthesis can inspire new functional goals. Whether you’re facing an amputation or have already had one, Cleveland Clinic rehabilitation and sports therapists can help improve mobility and function. Therapy staff works together with the medical team, including: the primary healthcare provider, a prosthetist and other therapy providers.
Who is amputation rehabilitation for?
Amputation rehabilitation is beneficial for people who’ve acquired upper or lower extremity amputations. Acquired amputations are usually from disease, injury or surgery. Some acquired causes that can lead to an amputation include:
- Peripheral vascular disease or PVD (blood vessel disease).
- Diabetes.
- Gangrene.
- Frostbite.
- Infection.
- Arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
- Trauma/injury.
- Cancer/tumors in bone and muscles.
What does amputation rehabilitation involve?
The rehabilitation program begins with a comprehensive evaluation and the development of a personalized care plan. The plan focuses on developing the skills an amputee needs to relearn necessary skills and attain their highest possible functional level. Some common treatment areas include:
- Strength.
- Flexibility.
- Balance.
- Gait training and mobility.
- Improving activity tolerance.
- Pain management/sensation training.
- Safety.
- Self-care activities.
- Home management skills.
- Independence with community mobility.
- Body image and coping skills.
- Education, training and utilization of adaptive equipment and assistive devices.
How long will amputation rehabilitation take?
The length of rehabilitation varies based on each participant’s unique needs and progress. There are various phases of rehabilitation that are dependent on the time since the amputation, degree of healing, equipment fitting and fabrication, as well as training on the use of the prosthetic device.
Hand Rehabilitation
Cleveland Clinic hand occupational therapists (OTs) specialize in rehabilitation of people with injuries, surgeries or conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, fractures and tendonitis. These may involve the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder and hinder activities of daily living (ADLs) such as buttoning a shirt or opening a container.
Who is hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder rehabilitation for?
Some of the common hand and elbow injuries treated at the Upper Extremity Center may include the following:
- Postsurgical rehabilitation.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Tendinitis.
- Arthritis at the base of the thumb (CMC joint).
- General arthritis.
- Fractures of the wrist and hand.
- Dupuytren’s disease.
- Epicondylitis (refers to specific forms of tendonitis in your arm).
- Cubital tunnel syndrome.
- Bone spurs at or about the elbow.
- Bursitis of the elbow.
- General elbow arthritis.
- Bicipital tendonitis.
- Traumatic hand or arm injuries.
- Traumatic elbow injuries/dislocations.
- Joint replacements of the hand, wrist and elbow.
- Traumatic amputations.
- Performing arts/overuse injuries.
What does hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder rehabilitation involve?
Occupational therapists work ‘hand in hand’ with the orthopaedic and plastic surgeons to promote optimal outcomes for people with trauma, elective surgery, injury or pathology to the upper limb. Services they may provide include:
- Evaluation of sensation, strength, range of motion, pain, edema, wounds.
- Education of injury.
- Range of motion program.
- Strengthening exercises.
- Splinting.
- Function and sensory re-education.
- Performing arts/overuse injury treatment.
- Edema/lymphedema control.
- Activities of daily living (ADLs).
- Joint protection principles for rheumatoid arthritis patients.
- Wound care.
- Computer ergonomics.
- Return to work services.
How long will hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder rehabilitation take?
The length of rehabilitation will vary depending on when your caregivers initiate hand therapy, the severity of your symptoms or surgical limitation and your goals for rehabilitation. They’ll coordinate therapy services with any ongoing medical treatment prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Orthopaedic Bone & Joint Rehabilitation
Cleveland Clinic’s physical and occupational therapists provide a continuum of care of outpatient services. These services are close to home and treat people with both acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, which may include joint and muscular pain as a result of injury, disease or degenerative processes. Our experienced staff utilizes a variety of treatment approaches and philosophies to help each participant reach their full functional potential. Physical and occupational therapists are part of an interdisciplinary team of medical professions that consult with physicians, case management, nursing, vocational rehab, speech pathology, athletic trainers and orthotics and prosthetic specialists.
Who is orthopaedic/bone and joint rehabilitation for?
Our staff treats the full range of orthopaedic problems, including:
- Ankle injuries.
- Arthritis.
- Back pain/problems.
- Cartilage injuries.
- Elbow pain/problems.
- Foot pain.
- Hand and wrist pain/problems.
- Hip problems.
- Knee injuries.
- Neck and shoulder pain/problems.
- Osteoporosis.
- Postoperative rehabilitation including total joint replacements and surgically repaired fractures.
- Sports-related injuries.
- Work-related injuries.
What does orthopaedic/bone and joint rehabilitation involve?
A physical or occupational therapy evaluation is the first step in the rehabilitation process. The evaluation identifies areas that need improvement, including strength, range of motion and functional abilities. Your care team will establish an individualized treatment plan, which will address areas of weakness and will work to achieve your unique goals for treatment. Treatment plans can include, pain reduction and management, manual therapy techniques, restoration of motion and strength through exercise, education and functional training.
How long will orthopaedic/bone and joint rehabilitation take?
The length of rehabilitation will vary depending on when you start therapy, the severity of your symptoms and your goals for rehabilitation. Your care team will coordinate therapy services with any ongoing medical treatment prescribed by your treating physician. They’ll also determine how often you’ll visit after your therapist performs a comprehensive evaluation.
Osteoporosis & Bone Health Rehabilitation
Cleveland Clinic’s Osteoporosis and Bone Health Rehabilitation Program serves anyone in need of outpatient physical or occupational therapy services. These services are designed to prevent and treat osteoporosis, low bone mineral density and fracture. The goals of this program is to improve the quality of life for people with these conditions, or those who are at risk for them.
Cleveland Clinic’s Rehabilitation and Sports Therapy provides the highest standard of care for the prevention and treatment of low bone mineral density. Our specially trained therapists systematically and effectively provide expert evaluation, treatment and education. The therapists collaborate with physicians and other healthcare providers to deliver quality, evidence-based care with integrity, compassion and commitment.
Who is the osteoporosis and bone health rehabilitation program for?
If you’ve been diagnosed with osteoporosis or low bone density (previously called osteopenia) our specially trained therapist will care for your specific conditions. Bone loss can occur in anyone at any age. When bone density or bone quality is reduced, the skeletal structure becomes fragile. This can lead to an increased risk of fractures. These fractures occur most often in the spine, hip and wrist.
Therapy sessions are customized to meet your individual needs and are specifically designed to produce the best possible results.
Risk factors for osteoporosis and low bone density include:
- Sex (women are more likely to have these conditions than men)
- Older age
- Family history
- A thin and short stature
- Prior fracture
- Being postmenopausal or perimenopausal
- Having pubescent amenorrhea (not having your period by age 15, also called primary amenorrhea)
- Smoking
- Medications, such as steroids
- Other diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, gastrointestinal (GI) diseases and anorexia nervosa
Appropriate diagnoses include, but aren’t limited to:
- Osteoporosis
- Low bone density (previously called osteopenia)
- History of fall and/or fractures
- Postural changes
- Back and/or joint pain
- Compression fracture
What does the osteoporosis and bone health rehabilitation program involve?
After a thorough evaluation and development of a plan of care, treatment may consist of:
- Strengthening of site-specific muscles, including the back and hips
- Weight-bearing exercises
- Postural correction
- Body mechanics training
- Balance exercises for fall prevention
- Up-to-date spinal fracture management
How long will the osteoporosis and bone health rehabilitation program take?
The length of rehabilitation will vary depending on when you start therapy, the severity of your symptoms and your goals for rehabilitation. Your care team will coordinate therapy services with any ongoing medical treatment prescribed by your treating physician. They’ll also determine how often you’ll visit after your therapist performs a comprehensive evaluation.
