Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals

Amputation

On-Site Care

Each patient's care is directed by a physician who specializes in physiatry (physical medicine and rehabilitation) and/or a physician with specialization in internal medicine. Specialized care is also available for a variety of associated conditions, such as diabetes management, pain management, preventative care for the residual limb, cardiovascular management, wound care, skin care and nutrition.

Rehabilitation nursing staff are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Staff are specially trained in providing care for the residual limb as well as in reinforcing self-care and mobility tasks.

Physical and occupational therapy for strengthening, mobility, prosthetic training, self-care and community re-entry.

Madonna is pleased to partner with Hanger Prosthetics for inpatient care. Located on-site, the certified prosthetist is available for consultation throughout a person’s stay in the hospital or as an outpatient, collaborating with other rehabilitation professionals regarding such areas as conditioning of the residual limb, preparation for prosthetic fitting, fit and use of a prosthetic device, including an Immediate Post-Operative Prosthesis (IPOP), education regarding management of amputation and prosthetic use, and referral to certified prosthetists throughout the region.

A variety of diagnostic services are available either on-site or by arrangement with other medical facilities in the area, which address the following: Vascular disease, diabetes management, trauma, and oncology.

Patients and their family members or caretakers are provided with training on a variety of topics, including:

  • Adaptive techniques and equipment for completing activities of daily living (ADL)
  • Coping with limb loss
  • Appropriate use of assistive devices
  • Community re-entry
  • Community resources and how to access them
  • Techniques for desensitization of the residual limb
  • Donning/doffing a prosthesis
  • Driving
  • Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and wellness
  • Health risks
  • Home modifications
  • Minimizing potential hazards in the home
  • Nutrition and hydration
  • Personal life roles and participation
  • Medications
  • Mobility
  • Managing phantom limb pain
  • Creating and maintaining a portable health profile
  • Prevention of secondary complications associated with limb loss
  • Proper fit of a prosthesis
  • Prosthetic options
  • Self-advocacy
  • Skin care for the unaffected limb
  • Care of the residual limb
  • Pressure wrapping
  • Return to work
  • Care of incisional wounds or other open areas
  • Scar management of the residual limb
  • Management of diabetes where appropriate

Madonna has identified persons with limb loss who are available to talk with individuals who have recently experienced limb loss, and is also involved with a community-based support group.

Rehabilitation psychology staff and spiritual services staff are available to assist patients and families with coping strategies as they adjust to their limb loss. Screening for issues related to chemical use/abuse is provided on-site and Madonna has a relationship with a community provider should chemical use and abuse counseling be necessary.

 Participation in a variety of adaptive sports and recreational outings can be integrated into therapy or just for fun.

As part of Madonna's continuum of care, specialized programming for persons with limb loss is provided at Madonna ProActive. See the Madonna TherapyPlus Structured Independence Programand ProActive LifeGuide for Adaptive Training Class to learn more.

The purpose of the Amputee Clinic is to provide outpatient interdisciplinary assessment and recommendations regarding the rehabilitation management of amputation, regardless of whether the patient has or plans to use a prosthetic device. Led by Dr. Paul Krabbenhoft, a physiatrist with experience in amputation, the patient may also be seen by a physical therapist, occupational therapist, prosthetist and other rehabilitation professionals as appropriate. To get started or for more information, contact the OP Clinic & Assessment Coordinator at 402-413-3799 or kgrabouski@madonna.org.