Amputee Rehabilitation
A prosthesis is more than a piece of medical equipment. It represents a life change that can vastly improve an individual's quality of life and well-being. Some patients find that a prosthesis can inspire new functional goals. Whether a person is facing an amputation or has already had one, Cleveland Clinic Rehabilitation and Sports Therapist can help improve mobility and function. Therapy staff works together with the medical team including: the physician, prosthetist and other therapy providers.
Who is amputee rehabilitation for?
Amputee rehabilitation is appropriate for individuals who have acquired or congenital upper or lower extremity amputations. Congenital amputations are present at birth when an infant is born without part or all of a limb. 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 amputee rehabilitation involve?
The rehabilitation program begins with a comprehensive evaluation and development of a personalized care plan. The plan focuses on developing the skills an amputee needs to re-learn necessary skills and attain his/her highest functional level possible. 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.
Rehabilitation may take place in a variety of settings including: acute care, hospital-based skilled nursing facility, acute rehabilitation facility, home care and outpatient rehabilitation.
How long will amputee rehabilitation take?
The length of rehabilitation varies based on each individual's needs and progress. There are various phases of rehabilitation that are dependent on the time since the amputation and degree of healing.
Hand Rehabilitation
Cleveland Clinic hand occupational therapists (OTs) specialize in rehabilitation of patients 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:
- Post surgical 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.
- 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 individuals with trauma, elective surgery, injury or pathology to the upper extremity. Services they may provide include:
- Evaluation of sensibility, 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 injuries.
- 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 hand therapy is initiated, the severity of symptoms or surgical limitation and the patient's goals for rehabilitation. Therapy services are coordinated with any ongoing medical treatment prescribed by your physician.
Orthopaedic Bone & Joint Rehabilitation
Cleveland Clinic's physical and occupational therapists provide a continuum of care from inpatient care in the hospital to outpatient services close to home to treat patients with both acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions. These may include joint and muscular pain as a result of injury, disease, or degenerative processes. Our experienced staff utilize a variety of treatment approaches and philosophies to help each patient reach their full functional potential. Physical therapists and occupational therapists are part of an inter-disciplinary 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.
- Post operative rehabilitation from total joint replacements and 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 of deficit, including strength, range of motion and functional abilities. An individualized treatment plan is established which will address areas of deficiency and will work to achieve the patient’s own goals for treatment. Treatment plans can include, pain reduction/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 therapy is initiated, the severity of symptoms and the patient’s goals for rehabilitation. Therapy services are often coordinated with any ongoing medical treatment prescribed by your treating physician. The frequency of visits will be determined after a comprehensive evaluation is performed by your therapist.
Osteoporosis & Bone Health Rehabilitation
Cleveland Clinic's Osteoporosis and Bone Health Rehabilitation Program serves any patient in need of outpatient physical therapy or occupational therapy services for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, low bone mineral density and fracture in order to affect positively the pathophysiology, impairments, functional limitations and disabilities of the disease as well as risk reduction, prevention and overall wellness.
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 health care providers to deliver quality, evidence-based care with integrity, compassion and commitment.
Who is osteoporosis and bone health rehabilitation program for?
If you have 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 men and women and 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 (female > male).
- Older age.
- Family history.
- Thin and short stature.
- Prior fracture.
- Postmenopausal/perimenopausal women.
- Pubescent amenorrhea.
- Smoker.
- Medications, such as steroids.
- Other diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, gastrointestinal diseases, anorexia nervosa.
Appropriate diagnoses include, but are not 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 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 osteoporosis and bone health rehabilitation program take?
The length of rehabilitation will vary depending on when therapy is initiated, the severity of symptoms and the patient’s goals for rehabilitation. Therapy services are often coordinated with any ongoing medical treatment prescribed by your treating physician. The frequency of visits will be determined after a comprehensive evaluation is performed by your therapist.
